Russian

[John Bertotti]

I'm not great at making up titles so here is what I'm after. I watched Enemy at the Gate. This show is some way struck a chord right down to the bone. Maybe it's my Marine background. Anyway there is a scene with one of the triangular Russian instruments. I think it is called a Domra. In the scene the music is enchanting. Does anyone know where I can find this type of music? Preferable suitable for a mandolin but if it is Domra I'll work with it some how. Thanks John

[John Craton]

The domra is a Russian folk instrument similar to the mandolin, but it has a rounded body. Here (http://www.instrumentworld.info/info.php?id=domra) is some info on the domra. The triangular instrument you saw would be the balalaika, a (usually) three-stringed instrument. Just about everything you could ever want to know about the balalaika can be found here (http://www.barynya.com/balalaika.htm). You can find balalaika sheet music many places, SheetmusicPlus (http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_searchresults.html?cart=33284759394779738&searchtitle=Sheet%20Music&snum=12) being but one outlet.

For what it's worth, I had a balalaika once but could never get the hang of it. Two of the strings are tuned to the same pitch (mine was AEE), and my violin/mandolin-brain just couldn't synthesize the duplicity. I ended up selling it (though it would have looked nice on my wall).

[Bren]

I was in the Central Asian folk instrument museum in Almaty, Kazakhstan, last year or the year before and saw (and got to play) several dombra as they call them there. They come in 2 and 3 string versions, and several shapes.
Tuning is in 5ths so easy enough for a mando player to pick up. Though they are usually used for complex rhythmic playing rather than single string melody.

[Jim Garber]

Tamara Volkskaya (http://www.barynya.com/domra.htm) is a virtuoso who plays both the domra and the mandolin. She lives in the NY area and has performed here with her husband, Anatoliy Trofimov, who plays the bayan, a massive button accordion.

I believe that she tunes her 4-string domra the same as a mandolin

Jim

[glauber]

I think Russian folk music works wonderfully on mandolin.

Listen to the MP3 for Dark Eyes (http://www.brentrup.com/mandolincafe/wail-darkeyes.mp3), by Harmonious Wail, in the MP3 area. It's jazzed-up, but it's a blast!

[Eugene]

Russian domra is in three strings: e'-a'-d". #The Ukrainian domra is in four, analogous to mandolin: g-d'-a'-e".

Gut-strung balalaikas were tremoloed with the fingertip, dedillo style, as in Enemy at the Gate. #Wire-strung ones use a light plectrum.

Plucked String, Inc. used to carry/publish a number of pieces conceived around domra, but Plucked String is gone. #Watch the auctions by "summernight" (aka Michelle Garman) on eBay; she bought out the Plucked String stock.

Also, check out Irina Sharapova's Russian Virtuosi Project (http://www.classicalmusic.spb.ru/ruvirtuosi/). #A number of years ago, I was corresponding in seeking their CD. #I don't believe it was ever commercially released, but their samples for download are tasty. #There are more tasty (if somewhat atypical) downloads to be had from The Moscow Balalaika Quartet (http://www.discoverclassics.com/index.php?do=pv&pid=138).

Believe it or not, there is a Balalaika and Domra Association of America (http://www.bdaa.com/). #Max McCullough used to be active with them, but I don't follow that stuff so I don't know if he still is.

[bluesmandolinman]

Not balalaika and not mandolin but I like this violin method :

Gypsy Violin at Elderly (http://www.elderly.com/books/items/02-95538BCD.htm)

If you can read standard notation ( of course no TAB in a violin book ) this book will be a good start... well not for beginners... it´s quite challenging. Great tunes !

Enjoy http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[michaell]

I play the domra exclusively (when I play acoustic). I prefer it to the mandolin

[John Bertotti]

I thank you all. Good info I will now search for dimensions and construction details.
The balalaika is the instrument I was referring to. I am however interested in both so now the searches begin.
Thanks all John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[John Bertotti]

How about another question. How many of you are playing this type of music? What songs do you favor in this type of music? Fast, slow, fun, haunting? Let me know. Song names appreciated. Thanks John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[mandocrucian]

If you a partial to folk-rock, try the Russian band Farlanders with singer Inna Zhelannya. Sort of reminds me Moving Hearts, or Garmarna, or East Wind. (and others) Really top notch stuff.

AMG Guide "Farlanders" (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wbftxq9jldhe~T1)

I've got a few of their (German) Jaro label releases: Moments and The Farlanders. #Shanachie put out a compilation called The Dreams of Endless Nights marketing the group as Inna and the Farlanders. You can find this floating around for $7 or $8.

Niles Hokkanen

[Jim Garber]

Here's an old band with domra and mandolin.

Jim

[jeffshuniak]

I have a book titled "russian folk music"...the songs are very easy but quite beautiful..often very short. you may want to embellish them or tie a few tunes together..i borrowed my book from my teacher, i have no idea where he got it, it looks old..you may find what you are looking for with a similar book

[John Bertotti]

jeffshuniak, any idea what the book is called? I'd like to search for a copy. Thanks John

[TimPiazza]

You probably already know one Russian folksong, "Dorogo Dlinnoyu". The melody was adopted for the Mary Hopkin's hit song of the '60's, "Those Were The Days".

There is also some downloads of balalaika and guitar duets at: <http://www.barynya.com/mp3/barynya.stm>

Tim