Balalaika

The balalaika is a Russian stringed musical instrument with a characteristic triangular body and three strings. 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. The prima balalaika is the most common. All have three-sided bodies; spruce, evergreen, or fir tops; and backs made of three to nine wooden sections. They are typically strung with three strings. The prima balalaika, secunda and alto are played either with the fingers or a plectrum, depending on the music being played, and the bass and contrabass are played with leather plectra. The rare piccolo instrument is usually played with a pick.