The best balalaikas for 2022

As interest in national culture arose, and also thanks to the efforts of enthusiastic folklore collectors, we learned about the Russian balalaika - a common musical instrument. The Russian soul with heartfelt anguish and reckless revelry has always needed musical accompaniment.

Today, the plucked instrument is used by performers of music of various styles and genres - from classical to rock and jazz. This is a symbol of the Russian people. Therefore, the question often arises, how to choose a balalaika.

Recently, interest in the balalaika as a phenomenon of Russian culture has grown greatly. When choosing music courses, more and more people prefer this folk instrument. And the concerts of balalaika virtuosos gather full houses even abroad.

Origin story

The word has a root bal-, the same as in the verbs balabolit, balakat - to chat, empty calls. Proponents of the theory of eastern origin argue that the balalaika comes from the Turkic word "bala" - a child.

However, most researchers are of the opinion that it appeared during the time of Muscovite Rus', as a replacement for the disappeared buffoon domra.

It is often mentioned in written, visual and oral folklore sources. Cheerful, light sounds convey life in Rus', they helped our ancestors forget about the severity of peasant life.

It quickly spread due to the ease, cheapness of manufacture. Craftsmen began to make their own versions - from rare examples with a long neck, oval-shaped body to popular ones with a characteristic triangular body. In appearance, the balalaika was very different from the one with which Russian culture is associated today.

Only by the end of the 19th century, Vasily Andreev reworked the balalaika - updated it for subsequent professional use as a stage instrument. It is this version that has survived to this day.

How to choose a tool

First you need to choose a model. It is better to buy a quality one right away, so that it is easier to learn how to play. Do not forget that only a musical product of good quality can give a melodious sound.

Balalaika device

The main source of sound is the strings.Various methods of sound production are used, for example, rattling, tremolo - alternating blows with the index finger of the right (left) hand down and up, with the help of the forearm and hand. That is, the performer needs to hit the stretched flexible strings to get the sound.

The larger the vibration amplitude, the stronger the sound. The strength of sound production depends on the length, diameter, tension of the strings, as well as on the material of manufacture of the components.

Main parts

• Body (body) consisting of a triangular deck and neck. Length - 60-70 cm. Width of the lower part - 40 cm, upper - 5 cm. It is made of pine wood using 5-10 staves. Therefore, they are called five-, six-riveted.
• Deca, glued together from separate wooden segments. On it is a resonator in the form of a flower. Above the resonator is a shell that protects from blows. Not all options are equipped with a shell, for example, for children, instead of it, a flower or a berry.
• Vulture. Preferably without distortion or cracks.
• Fret plates, quantity 16-31.
• The upper part is a shoulder blade. Here is the setting device. For precise fixation, a worm mechanism is used.
• Strings. There are carbon, nylon, metal. For the harmonious beauty of the performance, they should not be too thick, so as not to deprive the instrument of melodiousness. Thin ones also affect the sound quality - they give a rattling, weak sound.

A good piece of music is characterized by a strong sound, a pleasant timbre. Such a sound production is produced only by an instrument made by the hand of a master with a mathematically correct tone of the resonant box. While playing on it, even a novice balalaist will be able to practice with intonation variations.

Criterias of choice

When choosing, you should pay attention to some design features:

• Appearance - case without defects;
• a straight neck is required;
• neatly polished fret plates;
• pegs - metal;
• when playing, the peg mechanics do not rattle;
• the grooves on the bridge are spaced at the right distance so as not to hit the strings, for example, during a double pizzicato.

Quality also depends on the right strings. With thin sounds, the sound will be rattling, with thick ones, the melodiousness disappears.

A quality piece of music has a long, pleasant sound when plucked. The tool is comfortable to hold, has a beautiful appearance. You also need to check the system. And most importantly, to like the balalaika.

Advice. When choosing a musical product, it is better to invite a specialist.

Varieties of balalaikas

The appearance was facilitated by dombra. Therefore, initially the instrument had a completely different look - it had only 2 strings.

For a better sound in the 19th century, work began on improvement. Much depends on the sound setting. There are also design differences.

According to the method of sound extraction, it is divided into several types:

• Balalaika Prima. Solo instrument. The timbre is sonorous. Academic system - Mi, Mi, La of the first octave.
• Balalaika Sekunda. Performs accompaniment functions. Sounds one fifth lower. Slightly muffled tone. Build - La, La, Re (La of a small octave, Re of the first octave).
• Balalaika Alt. Moves down one octave. The range is up to the second octave. Implements harmonious filling of the instrument. Soft and juicy tone. Build - Mi, Mi, La of a small octave.
• Balalaika Bass. Belongs to the bass group. The tone is low. Plays in a big octave. Build - Mi, La, Re of a large octave.
• Balalaika Contrabass. Big, powerful tool.Performs a bass function. Build - Mi, La, Re contra-octaves. It differs from Bass in that it plays in the counteroctave.
• Balalaika Piccolo. The smallest. Emphasizes the upper case of the product. Build - Mi, Mi, La of the second octave.

The prima is the leading instrument, while the others perform auxiliary orchestral functions.

Among ordinary people, performing under a certain balalaika type is common. Products with nylon strings, an extended scale, and an academic tuning are in demand among professionals.

According to its purpose, it is divided into two types:

1. Professional (academic). Requires musical education.
2. Folk (traditional, rural). Differs in the number of frets. Music theory is not required for mastery.

Over the past few years, the demand for traditional musical products has grown. With their help, information is transmitted about how our distant ancestors knew how to harmonize with nature.

Balalaika rating for 2022

In order to facilitate the choice of a suitable product, we have prepared a rating of popular balalaikas for beginners.

We draw your attention to the fact that such products should not be cheap. As a rule, cheap ones are made from poorly dried wood, which is why they are subject to temperature effects.

Forest F-203

Orchestral second for the performance of musical works. Fully reveals the sound among other professional instruments.

A large number of musicians, when they talk about the sound of an old village balalaika, mean just a second.

main parameters

mensura	475-490 mm
Vulture	beech
shell	ABS plastic (plastic)
Top deck	solid resonant spruce array
Frame	beech
Peg mechanics	metal, one piece

Menzura (measure) - the maximum segment (length) of a string that can sound (vibrate).

• smooth neck;
• hard, polished frets;
• smooth rotation of peg mechanics;
• loud sound, excellent sounding notes;
• quality pegs.

• the varnish on the fingerboard is quickly erased, chipped off;
• the guard is too close to the strings;
• the material of the shield is rough, when clinging with a finger it gives a bad overtone.

The design features of the Forest F-203 resonant deck, as well as the accumulated experience of the masters and the latest development technologies, contributed to the original sound of the instrument in terms of strength and timbre.

Simplicity, which is combined with a special way of extracting sound, allows you to create unusual sounds that are unfamiliar to world musical practice.

Doff F-201

A three-string musical product of the plucked type. An instrument with hand-painted art on folklore themes gives rise to a unique sound, which is the basis of Russian folk melody.

Ideal for gifts, souvenirs.

main parameters

mensura	435-450 mm
Vulture	beech
Top deck	plywood
Frame	beech
The weight	1.35 kg
Finishing	hand painted

• unique appearance;
• smooth rotation of peg mechanics;
• ease, accuracy of adjustment;
• painted by hand.

• deck material plywood;
• the sound is muffled due to the large distance between the strings and the fretboard;
• unpolished frets cut your fingers.

The balalaika has become a symbol of Russia for foreigners, so the painted product Doff F201 is often used as a souvenir with ethnic content.

On such an instrument, you can perform folk compositions. And also the musical product will serve as a stylish accessory decorating the interior.

BPD Balalaika wooden prima, Izhevsk plant T.I.M

It was created at the Izhevsk plant especially for beginners. LLC Izhevsk plant T.I.M.
produces more than 30 types of balalaikas, dombras, as well as components for assembly.

main parameters

mensura	440 mm
Vulture	pasted
Deca	resonance - spruce, plywood - birch
The weight	1.5 kg
Frame	plastic (300x450 mm)

• soundboard sounds good at the top;
• durable varnish;
• shield away from strings;
• case, deck give volume;
• price.

• the quality of the peg mechanism;
• soft metal frets;
• the saddle (near the string attachment) rebounds quickly.

Fans of folk musical products will be pleased with the quality of workmanship from birch. A good option for beginners. Balanced sound. Suitable for classes with or without a teacher.

Tip: If you replace the peg mechanism, the balalaika will please you much longer, since you will not have to be distracted often by tuning.

Balalaiker HS-K

Russian made product. Has three strings, triangular body, belongs to the group of stringed plucked instruments.

The manufactory is located in the city of Ulyanovsk. Since 2013, he has been producing balalaikas, hurdy-gurdies, and musical accessories. The craftsmen restored the technology of assembling a balalaika body using ethnographic samples of the mid-19th century.It was possible to preserve the voice of ancient peasant Russia.

main parameters

mensura	435 mm
Length	630 mm
Vulture	pine
Deca	spruce
Frame	pine

• build quality;
• original color combination;
• neck thin - the best tool in this price category;
• keeps order;
• the shell goes far - it is easy to play an ordinary pizzicato;
• excellent value for money;
• quality mechanics;
• neat shell.

• inexpressive, flat sound due to the thickness of the soundboard;
• the stand rides, it is recommended to add rosin under it;
• frets protrude above the shell;
• the fingerboard is lacquered, it is necessary to process it with sandpaper.

Great for the beginner balalaika player. The neck is comfortable - you can completely clasp it with your thumb, the thickness allows.

A common version of the old form. The rave reviews of contemporaries of this unique species attract many.

The original sound will surely bring a lot of positive emotions to connoisseurs of early music.

Balalaiker BSS AE Student

Academic electroacoustic balalaika. It is characterized by a classic size, proven materials, convenience, mobility, and stable sound production without additional wires and devices.

An excellent tool for learning thanks to the well-balanced ergonomics of parts and neat assembly. The stability of the sound signal is ensured by the built-in electronic amplifier. The sound of the instrument is light.

main parameters

mensura	435 mm
Vulture	maple
Top deck	resonant spruce
Frame	beech
Stand	pear
Pickup	piezo ceramic, Cherub
Food	battery cell CR2032
Exit	TRS 1/4 (6.35mm)

• recognizable design;
• all-plank peg system;
• metal strings;
• scale 27 frets;
• made from natural materials;
• tinted finish.

• the neck is not perfectly smooth;
• difficult to control the pegs.

Balalaiker perfectly fulfills the sound across the entire spectrum, turning learning into joy.

The unique "knit-in-handle" production technology, as well as the modern decoration of Balalaiker Color Engineering, allowed the craftsmen to achieve a rare combination of modern design, historical style and unforgettable sound production.

Balalaiker 3S-BF Black Fedor

A noticeable and recognizable tool due to the color scheme - the finish is made in black.
The model is also distinguished by its compact punt body.

Yesterday it was made only in homemade versions. Today, Black Fedor is in demand among amateur musicians and stage performers.

main parameters

mensura	435 mm, 16 fret
total length	652 mm
Top deck	resonant spruce
Vulture	birch, oval
Stand	maple
Finishing	black tinted

• unique appearance;
• compact body shape;
• tinted black trim;
• peg system of open type.

• for fine tuning, you need to move the stand;
• Do not use under the light of powerful lamps.

The instrument can be tuned to songs, dances, quiet music making, etc. Convenient for traveling, outdoor activities, and also perfect for practicing with children.

Balalaiker Peasant woman HS-K

Historical instrument made of solid spruce. Until the end of the XIX century. was the most popular option in Russia. It sounded in taverns, at fairs or just on the street, among workers and peasants.

Balalaiker studied authentic historical specimens of this species. They managed to restore the body assembly technology of that era.

main parameters

mensura	415 mm, 5 fret
total length	580 mm
Top deck	resonant spruce
Vulture	spruce
Frame	spruce, five-stave historical
Peg mechanics	single friction type

• historical appearance;
• manufacturing material.

• the sound is deaf, the timbre is sandy and vague;
• hard to tune - the strings stretch, stretch for a long time.

You can easily learn the simplest game on such a balalaika. The peasant woman is used in folk musical practice, in the family circle, and it is also an instrument for independent amateur music-making.

The balalaika of the old form will bring a lot of vivid emotions to anyone due to the tangible flow of archaic Russian sound.

Children's room with bells. Workshop Serebrov K2-BL-01

Made from 8mm plywood. Decorated with Gorodets painting. There are three bells in the neck area, strings are not provided. It is a noise instrument of the 2nd category, that is, it is designed for folklore and choreographic classes in preschool institutions.

Sings with character and mood.

main parameters

Material	wood, metal
Dimensions (LxWxH)	47.3x31.5x0.5 cm
The weight	1170 g

Strings and frets are drawn. The sound is provided by three bells.

Such a balalaika can be used when organizing performances in a kindergarten or elementary school to support Russian folk art.

How to quickly and accurately set up a tool

The sound of Russian folk instruments, especially string instruments, is associated with patriotism on a subconscious level among our fellow citizens. Only a properly tuned piece of music can convey these feelings.

There are many ways to customize. The most common is folk. Professional musicians use the fourth system - academic.

People's system

It is also called major or amateur:

• first string A;
• the second is Mi;
• the third - to.

With this tuning, it is easier to take a triad, but it is more difficult to play on open strings.

academic system

• two strings in unison - note Mi;
• one - a quart higher - the note La.

For tuning, an accordion, piano, guitar, tuner, etc. are used.

Tuning with the tuner

• First you need to fix the device on the neck of the balalaika. The device can read string vibrations using a built-in piezo pickup, or a cable directly connected to the guitar.
• Then start setting up. The device shows the note of the sound of the string in Latin letters: La is indicated by the letter A, Mi - by the letter E.

Used for finishing the string. Such a device will help you independently tune the balalaika.

Setting up with Android

• First of all, you need to download "Pitched - Tuner" on your phone or tablet. The program perceives the sound of the guitar, determines the current pitch. Convenient interface. Easy navigation.
• Then tune the bottom string to A 4, and the top two to Mi 4.

Such programs are widely distributed on the network, but their main drawback is poor tuning accuracy in a noisy environment. After tuning, a clean chord is heard.

There is no perfect way to set up. It is important to focus on the whole range of possibilities that allow the selected tool to be as versatile as possible. Decisions are easier to make with performance skills.

Reasons why the tool cannot be configured:

• neck is deformed;
• the strings are of poor quality, poorly fixed;
• the size of the stand does not fit the surface of the deck;
• inaccurate marking fret.

Advice. Before tuning, the strings must be carefully tensioned.

Recommendations

• Strings require constant care. The brightness of the sound depends on them. Over time, they are deformed - they are stretched, oxidized, the calibration is violated.
• The neck, on which the frets are located, is smooth, without cracks, convenient for girth.
• The frets are sanded with sandpaper. They are the same height.
• The shell does not touch the deck.
• Improperly selected stand height can impair sound reproduction.
• A good piece of music is made from natural materials, polished, and meets standard quality requirements.
• It is not recommended to store in the sun, near heating or in a place that is too dry - the body and deck burst.
• To protect it is better to use canvas covers or special storage cases.

conclusions

Previously, balalaikas ensured the survival of the Russian peasant. Today, the revival of traditions is the spiritual and moral renewal of society.

For the preservation of folk customs, rituals, games, she is given a special role. After all, it was she who captured fragments of the life of the Russian people, contributed to the awakening, development of interest in the cultural traditions of our country.

Thanks to the affordability of a domestic manufacturer, anyone can buy a Russian balalaika.