The balalaika is a Russian stringed musical instrument with a characteristic triangular wooden, hollow body, fretted neck, and three strings. Two strings are usually tuned to the same note and the third string is a perfect fourth higher. The higher-pitched balalaikas are used to play melodies and chords. The instrument generally has a short sustain, necessitating rapid strumming or plucking when it is used to play melodies. Balalaikas are often used for Russian folk music and dancing.
Contrabass size
Balalaika model of 1980 made for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow
Painting from Nikolai Petrovich Petrov in 1861. The scene portrays the old Russian tradition of the bride-show while a balalaika is played.
1911 advertisement for the Imperial Russian Balalaika Orchestra and Victor Records
Russian folk music specifically deals with the folk music traditions of the ethnic Russian people.
Soviet postage stamp depicting traditional Russian musical instruments.
Russian spoons are used for traditional folk music in Russia (Watch performance with traditional Russian spoons on YouTube)