All have three-sided bodies spruce, evergreen, or fir tops and backs made of three to nine wooden sections (usually maple). There have also been descant and tenor balalaikas, but these are considered obsolete. The prima balalaika is the most common the piccolo is rare. There are balalaika orchestras which consist solely of different balalaikas these ensembles typically play Classical music that has been arranged for balalaikas. The balalaika family of instruments includes instruments of various sizes, from the highest-pitched to the lowest: the piccolo balalaika, prima balalaika, secunda balalaika, alto balalaika, bass balalaika, and contrabass balalaika. Balalaikas are often used for Russian folk music and dancing. The instrument generally has a short sustain, necessitating rapid strumming or plucking when it is used to play melodies. The higher-pitched balalaikas are used to play melodies and chords. Two strings are usually tuned to the same note and the third string is a perfect fourth higher. The balalaika (Russian: балала́йка, pronounced ) is a Russian stringed musical instrument with a characteristic triangular wooden, hollow body, fretted neck and three strings.
