Types And Tunings

• The balalaika is also unique in its division into six separate sizes, each having its own range of pitches. From smallest to largest balalaika, the sizes are piccolo, prima, sekunda, alto, bass and contrabass. The prima is the most common size used for solo play, but other sizes are often used as accompaniment and in balalaika orchestras. The contrabass features strings so large, a boot heel or leather shoe sole are often used as a pick.
  
  Balalaikas are typically strung with nylon strings on the lower pegs and a wire string on the top peg. Older balalaikas used gut strings for the lower pegs, and some balalaika purists still continue this old stringing tradition. The prima uses a tuning that will be unfamiliar to many players of more typical stringed instruments: E-E-A. Popular alternate tunings include G-B-D and E-A-D, similar to the domra. Six string balalaikas have each pair of strings tuned to the same pitch, such as EE-EE-AA.
  
  

Techniques

• For right-handed players, the balalaika is played similar to a guitar, with some key differences. The primary distinction is that the left thumb is used to fret notes on the lower string. The index finger of your right hand is used to strum and pluck the strings on the prima and piccolo sizes. The four larger sizes are commonly played with a pick.
  
  During solo performance of the prima, the player is generally seated. The balalaika should be held close to the chest, similar to a guitar, with the bottom corner resting comfortably between the knees. Strumming and plucking should be done high on the soundboard, close to the neck. Strumming should be done from the elbow, not the wrist, and movements should be relaxed.
  
  The best way to learn the balalaika is to first familiarize yourself with traditional Russian folk music. This will give you an idea of the style in which the balalaika is commonly played, as well as the sonic potential of the instrument. There are many instructional books available for learning the balalaika, as well as free tutorial and recital videos accessible for free on YouTube.