Balalaika

Balalaika pop. Russ. chordophone of the guitar family, an 18th-c. descendant of the *dombrā, characterized by a triangular body, now made in 6 different sizes. The balalaika has a flat back, slightly arched belly, narrow neck bearing 4 movable frets, and 3 strings, usually of gut but sometimes of steel. Originally it had but 2 strings, the third being added in the course of the 18th c. The Almanack de Gotha of 1772 still mentions 2 strings. Tunings are as follows: piccolo b0 e1 a1; prime e1 e1…