Does anyone have a Balalaika?

[Jeff]

I do. I'm working on fixing it up. More to come.

[Jeff]

First repair. New tuning keys. I did have to modify the holes to accept the replacements I found.


 

 

[Jeff]

A proper cleaning before restringing. I actually found strings online for 6 bucks. I need to figure out what do do about how the strings come around the end. It appears from the finish shadow there is something missing. The last strings were pegged without it, cutting into the instrument.



 

 

[Hilltop366]

Cool! I don't have one of those but I do have a 3 string McNally Strumstick

I admit at first I was hesitant to click on this thread thinking it was something you would have see a doctor for, but because of the preview feature I could see that it looked safe to view. ;D

[Texas Ranger]

Does that mean you are going to strum that thing at the next pig roast?

[Jeff]

Dont rule it out, especially if you show up to do a russian squat dance!

[Don P]

Google balalaika tailpiece, got several hits, also bridges. Cool find, happily the tone hole is small .

[Jeff]

Tammy got it for me at a junk shop in bay city a few weeks ago.

[Dan_Shade]

Alexey Arkhipovsky plays Paganini and more - YouTube

[Jeff]

My star student! :D

[Dave Shepard]

And I thought this was going to be about Greek pastry. Or a winter hat. 

[Percy]

Wow!! That Victor fella(Jeff's star pupil) can sure play that thing. Nice sounding unit. Looking forward to a YouTube of Jeff playing the balalaika version of "I work Everyday Down At  The Sawmill" 😄

[Jeff]

How about "Mercy on a poorboy"?

Mel Tillis - Sawmill - YouTube

[51cub]

My star student! :D

You're evidently a gifted teacher, but if he can't play Cluck Old Hen it's all Russian and Greek to me

[Hilltop366]

All I could think of was Thunder struck when Alexey was playing so I googled it and of coarse its been done.

AC/DC - Thunderstruck Balalaika Edition @ Russian Folk Festival "Warior`s Field 2013" - YouTube

[Jeff]

Now playable! I used a small piece of suede snitched from Tammy's sewing room for the strings to fit around the end.

[Magicman]

Hey, I have seen that Russian Fiddle cradle before.  ;D

[LAZERDAN]

I found this to be extremely entertaining, I think there's one of them Balalaika's in this woodsey didy  ENJOY and turn it up.        Lazerdan     hope it works ??

Born To Be Wild - YouTube

[Jeff]

That was awesome!!

[thecfarm]

Good acting,good fun,good music.

[barbender]

Well, let's hear it, Jeff!😁

[Jeff]

I've been messing with it. Its a handy little thing. I have a place by my living room chair where I can just reach over and pick it up.  It is very different than a guitar or mandolin. Only 3 strings and two are tuned identical. They are played differently as well. Lots of thumb fretting that you see rarely in guitar playing. Hopefully I'll ;earn a tune I can share to show how it sounds. Not how I sound. ;)

[Jeff]

Well, after a few minutes of messing with it here and there, I can get a tune out of it. I've not tried to much cord progression, just trying to get the note layout down. Still pretty shaky on That!

A couple of days of learning the Balalaika - YouTube

[Roxie]

 8)  Pretty DanG good!

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

You would fit right in at the Georgia Project.
Thats  Purple Drank  music. 

[Percy]

Well, after a few minutes of messing with it here and there, I can get a tune out of it. I've not tried to much cord progression, just trying to get the note layout down. Still pretty shaky on That!

A couple of days of learning the Balalaika - YouTube

Allrighty!!! Nice tone! And you have the ear to find non dissonant notes. You'll be changin your name to Razzputin in no time 

[Jeff]

I'm really taking a liking to this instrument, although I may have to upgrade some day as this one is pretty flimsy of construction. Quite the weak neck and very hard to keep in tune.

I've made a break through!  I think at times I am now playing more right notes than wrong notes!

[blackfoot griz]

You're off to a great start. Do you think that suede has a deadening effect on the sound?  Is there supposed to be a bridge there instead?  Thanks for sharing, until now, I didn't know balalaikas existed.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Maybe one of the guitar builders can make you a new one. 

[Jeff]

That would be cool, cept they probably would want this one for a pattern and I won't give it up. :D  I'm constantly picking it up.   Maybe its a collusion thing. ;)

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

That would be cool, cept they probably would want this one for a pattern and I won't give it up. :D  I'm constantly picking it up.  Maybe its a collusion thing. ;)

Have you looked to see if there is a set of plans for that Banjo, guitar, fiddle, ukulele 
uh..... your instrument?

[Jeff]

I was going to do a short video of my progression, but Harley keeps dropping the camera, and I go brain dead.

[Jeff]

Still trying to figure it out. Thumbs play a big roll in playing this thing.

Still trying to figure out the Balalaika. - YouTube

[sandhills]

Sure sounds to me like you're getting it figured out pretty darn fast! 

[Darrel]

Jeff, I can see where Alexey picked up his skills! :D

Sound good!

[Jeff]

Been awhile since I've posted any updates on trying to teach myself how to play the Balalaika. Watch at your own peril.

Practicing the Balalaika. - YouTube

[Darrel]

I'm impressed 

[Jeff]

Still learning.

More Balalaika practicing. - YouTube

[Hilltop366]

za tva-jó zda-ró-vye!!

[Magicman]

And here is to your health also.  ;D

[Hilltop366]

Thanks :D

I just thought that song needed a little Russian cheer at the end. ;D

[Darrel]

 

[Percy]

I read this comment that applies here(modified somewhat for this application) , on a music forum I frequent. 

A 93 year old balalaika player was asked how much he practises....He replied "About 2 hours a day." He then was  asked "At your age, why do you practise so much?"  He replied..."I think Im making progress"  ;D


Also, playing/practising any musical instrument involves interaction between hearing, physical movement(fretting etc),emotional response(liking/disliking what you hear/create),memory functions among a bunch of other stuff that gives the brain a serious workout and helps with things like slowing/stopping dementia etc. The experts say, when you play a musical instrument, your brain neuron pathways light up like a Christmas tree. Keep at it Jeff. The progress is evident in the videos..

[Magicman]

Jeff has made much progress since February. 

[Jeff]

Still working on it.

Another balalaika creation - YouTube

[Darrel]

As my grandma used to say, that music is quite listenable. 👍

[Jeff]

I wish it was a better instrument. It really is quite shoddy.  Won't hold in tune for a whole song, tone is different for each string. Not something you can even find in the states.

[sandhills]

Well it sounds good to me .  I work with a young man that plays bass in a local band, mostly old/good country-red dirt music, I think you could fit right in ;)