Russian balalaika

Subject: Russian balalaika
From: sharon
Date: 26 Jun 97 - 11:03 PM

How is the balalaika tuned? I read someplace that the top and bottom are tuned to same note. What are the notes/ Is is usually chorded and strummed or is it played as a melody instrument?

Subject: RE: Russian balalaika
From:
Date: 27 Jun 97 - 07:24 AM

I don't know about the tuning process, but the balalaika is strummed very quickly to produce a rather wavery-sounding accompaniment. I don't *think* it's used much for melody.

Subject: RE: Russian balalaika
From: Bert Hansell
Date: 27 Jun 97 - 11:52 AM

Try..

http://www.larkinam.com/MenComNet/Business/Retail/Larknet/ArtBalalaika

Subject: RE: Russian balalaika
From: Ruslan
Date: 07 Jul 97 - 08:45 AM

Musical Encyclopaedia(Russian) said that bal. mainly tunes in major chord(triad), rarely upper string tunes in fourth with two bottom strings which tunes in unison. My friend Dima tunes b. in this way: two upper string in unison, bottom one in fourth with them. I think b. like all other folk instr. tunes in many way. You can play melody, intervals, or chords. I heard many virtuos b. players. They play b. solo and accomp. theyselves when singing. Best wishes!