Does someone has experiences with playing/learning balalaika?
I am thinking about buying a (probably used) balalaika (around 40-80€) and teaching it myself. I have no experiences with playing guitar or something similar, this would be my first string instrument.
Is ~50€ a good price for a used balalaika? Wich kind of strings should I use? Do you think it is possible to learn it yourself from books and videos? How hard is it?
Even though I don't plan on taking lessons I could contact a former conductor of mine who also is the conductor of a balalaika ensemble and won some prices Russia with balalaika. So I have access to an expert who could help me.
I found them on ebay. New ones mostly cost around 200€, because of that I am not sure if I should buy one of the 50-60€ ones. But there are many in this price category on ebay.
Grayson Butler
I am also not planning on buying a big ass bass balalaika as seen in your pic, but a prima balalaika.
Alexander Jones
I own one but it's old and beat up. I don't think it will ever be playable.
Dominic Campbell
Unless you're Russian don't do it.
Balalaikas are just impossible to appropriate and not look stupid as fuck, unlike other ethnic instruments like the accordion or whatever
