The Russian String Instruments

The balalaika has become synonymous with Russian folk music.

From the days when Russia was ruled by princes from Kiev, stringed instruments have been favored by traveling minstrels and folk musicians. Through the centuries, these instruments have evolved, sometimes adding strings, changing shapes and altering sizes. Three of the most enduring Russian string instruments are the balalaika, the gusli and the hurdy-gurdy.

Balalaika

The balalaika is popular amongst Russian folk musicians.

In 1688, the balalaika makes its first recorded entry into Russian history when two hapless musicians were flogged and exiled for playing it. It was a strict punishment handed down by a tsar who hated the Russian folk culture the stringed instrument represented. Also known as a belly scratcher, this triangular string instrument comes in many sizes.

Gusli

The gusli is the oldest known Russian string instrument, dating back to at least the 6th Century. Also known as a Russian folk psaltery, it started life as a humble five-stringed wooden box. The strings play the notes A,C,E,G and A with a playstick. While remaining primarily a folk instrument, it increased in sophistication as the centuries passed, with musicians adding octaves, chromatic tuning and experimenting with the shape of the instrument.

Hurdy-Gurdy

The hurdy-gurdy, also known as a lira, takes several forms depending on whether it is of Ukrainian or Russian origin. Typically, the Ukrainian hurdy-gurdy has one melody string and two drone strings. The instrument is placed in the musician's lap and he turns a wheel with a crank that acts as a bow. The Russian version often places the hurdy-gurdy on a violin body. The turning of the wooden wheel causes friction on the strings, which creates the music.

References

• Barynya: Russian Traditional Musical Instruments
• Face Music: Traditional Instruments: Russia
• Russian Duo: Instruments