Learning to Play the Balalaika

In the 1880s, a Russian nobleman named Vassili Andreyev heard a peasant outside his window playing the balalaika, a lute derived from a Mongol predecessor called the domra. According to the Balalaika School, its sound so enchanted Andreyev he decided to popularize the instrument. Hundreds of hours of work later, he and his balalaika orchestra held their first public concert in 1886. Now a major part of Russian culture, the balalaika lets an adventurous musician play a melodious alternative to the mandolin and guitar.

Types of Balalaikas

Before you buy, decide which kind of balalaika you want to play. Prima balalaikas are the most common and sound similar to acoustic guitars. If you prefer a deeper sound, consider buying an alto, bass, or contrabass balalaika, all of which are tuned differently than the standard prima instrument.

Note that the second string is closer to the third string than the first. Since this leaves little space between the top two strings, the player must use the thumb of his left hand to complete basic chords. This is not true for the guitar or the banjo.

Buy an appropriate pick. Most balalaika players use leather picks, though felt or plastic picks can work just as well.

Much like the mandolin, the balalaika uses a double-string arrangement to produce its characteristic sound. This means that when each string is tuned correctly it should sound identical to its nearest neighbor.

String Positions

Remember that the note played on the fifth fret of a string should sound the same as the next highest open string. For example, the fifth fret of the middle E should not be distinguishable from the open A string.

Strum and Picking Styles

For finger-style playing, strum with the tip of your right-hand index finger. If you feel pain at first, don't worry---over time, you'll develop calluses that will let you play with ease. To play chords, strum upwards and downwards across the strings in alternating patterns.

Use all five fingers of your left hand to create chord patterns. Practice holding your thumb in place across an entire fret (this is called a "barre" position). While playing, keep your arm still and your fingers relatively stiff. Rotate your wrist and not your shoulder.

Learn how to play tremolo notes. To do this, press your hand down on the body of the instrument and pick a given note upwards, then downwards, as quickly as you can. With practice, use this technique to produce a single vibrating note.

When you feel ready to choose a song, look up traditional Russian songs appropriate for beginning players. Look up the tabs for classics like Juniper on the Hill, Senka Razin and Malinka, among others.

References

• Balalaika School
• Lark in the Morning Music Shop