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.
