((Russian: : балала�йка, Russian pronunciationбалала�йка, Russian pronunciation: : [bəlɐˈlajkə]) )

Balalaika is Balalaika is a a Russian folk Russian folk guitar with triangular body guitar with triangular body

shape. The back of balalaika shape. The back of balalaika is slightly bowed. Three is slightly bowed. Three

strings run from the tuning strings run from the tuning pins over the metal frets on pins over the metal frets on

the neck across the neck across the the soundboard and secured on soundboard and secured on the base of the instrument. the base of the instrument. Sometimes one can find six Sometimes one can find six string balalaika, usually it is string balalaika, usually it is tuned exactly like regular tuned exactly like regular three strings instrument. three strings instrument.

HistorHistoryy

Early representations of the balalaika show it with anywhere from Early representations of the balalaika show it with anywhere from two to six strings, which resembles certain Central Asian two to six strings, which resembles certain Central Asian

instruments. Similarly, freinstruments. Similarly, frets ts on earlier balalaikas were made of on earlier balalaikas were made of animal gut and tied to the neck so that they could be moved around animal gut and tied to the neck so that they could be moved around

by the player at will (as is the case with the modern saz, which by the player at will (as is the case with the modern saz, which allows for the microtonaallows for the microtonal l playing distinctive to Turkish and Central playing distinctive to Turkish and Central

Asian music).Asian music).The term first appeared in the Ukrainian documents in the 18th The term first appeared in the Ukrainian documents in the 18th

century in documents from 1717-1732. It is thought that the term century in documents from 1717-1732. It is thought that the term was borrowed into Russian where it first appeared a poem by V. was borrowed into Russian where it first appeared a poem by V.

Maikov "Elysei" in 1771. In the 19th century the balalaika evolved Maikov "Elysei" in 1771. In the 19th century the balalaika evolved into a triangular instrument with a neck substantially shorter than into a triangular instrument with a neck substantially shorter than its Asian counterparts. It was popular as a village instrument for its Asian counterparts. It was popular as a village instrument for centuries, particularly with the skomorokhs, sort of free-lance centuries, particularly with the skomorokhs, sort of free-lance

musical jestersmusical jesters whose tunes ridiculed the Tsar, the Russian whose tunes ridiculed the Tsar, the Russian Orthodox Church, and Russian society in general.Orthodox Church, and Russian society in general.

. .

A popular notion is that the three sides and the strings of A popular notion is that the three sides and the strings of the balalaika are supposed to represent the Holy Trinity. the balalaika are supposed to represent the Holy Trinity. This idea, while whimsical, is quite difficult to reconcile This idea, while whimsical, is quite difficult to reconcile

when one is confronted with the fact that at various times in when one is confronted with the fact that at various times in Russian history, the playing of the balalaika was banned Russian history, the playing of the balalaika was banned because of its use by the because of its use by the skomorokhi,skomorokhi,who were generally who were generally

highly irritating to both Church and State. Musical highly irritating to both Church and State. Musical instruments are not allowed in Russian Orthodox liturgy.instruments are not allowed in Russian Orthodox liturgy.

Legends

A A likelier reason for the triangular shape is given by the writer and likelier reason for the triangular shape is given by the writer and historian historian Nikolay Gogol Nikolay Gogol in his unfinished novel Dead Souls. He in his unfinished novel Dead Souls. He

states that a balalaika was made by peasants out of a pumpkin. If states that a balalaika was made by peasants out of a pumpkin. If you quarter a pumpkin, you are left with a balalaika shape. you quarter a pumpkin, you are left with a balalaika shape. Another theory is: Before Tsar Another theory is: Before Tsar Peter I Peter I instruments were not instruments were not

allowed in Russia. When Peter allowed them, only the boat builders allowed in Russia. When Peter allowed them, only the boat builders knew how to work with wood. The balalaika looks a little like the knew how to work with wood. The balalaika looks a little like the front of a boat, if held horizontally. Another theory comes from a front of a boat, if held horizontally. Another theory comes from a

Russian tale: during the Russian tale: during the Mongol invasion Mongol invasion a Russian man was a Russian man was captured by Mongols, but the Mongol Khan liked him because of captured by Mongols, but the Mongol Khan liked him because of his musical talent, released him and gave him a guitar. When the his musical talent, released him and gave him a guitar. When the Russian man returned home, he took 3 of the strings out of the Russian man returned home, he took 3 of the strings out of the guitar, so that he would be able to repair his guitar if he breaks guitar, so that he would be able to repair his guitar if he breaks

one of the strings, and that way he was left with a 3-string guitar.one of the strings, and that way he was left with a 3-string guitar.