About the Balalaika Alto Tuning

This unique tuning, known as the Balalaika Alto, adapts the traditional Alto Balalaika tuning for the Cigar Box Guitar. It presents a rich, resonant sound ideal for a variety of styles, particularly those benefiting from a strong, open drone.

Technical Analysis

• Instrument Type: Cigar Box Guitar, typically a 3-string instrument in this configuration.
• Tuning Notes (Lowest to Highest): E3 - E3 - A3.
• Open Chord: The open strings form an A5 (A Power Chord). With E as the perfect fifth and A as the root, the two E strings create a strong, resonant foundation. This makes the tuning excellent for driving rhythms and drone effects.
• Intervals: The lowest two strings are tuned in unison (E3-E3), providing a distinctive thick sound. The interval between the middle (second) and highest (first) string (E3-A3) is a Perfect Fourth.

Verbal Description & Playability

The Balalaika Alto tuning on a Cigar Box Guitar offers a deep, full-bodied sound, reminiscent of its traditional balalaika origins but with the raw, gritty character often found in CBGs. The open A5 power chord is incredibly versatile, making it a favorite for blues, folk, rock, and even experimental music. The unison E strings allow for powerful strumming and create a natural drone that can underpin melodies or rhythmic patterns, providing a sonic landscape that is both full and engaging.

This tuning lends itself particularly well to slide playing, where simple barres across the fretboard will naturally produce other power chords. For example, a barre at the 5th fret yields a D5 chord, and a barre at the 7th fret produces an E5 chord. With minimal finger movement, it's easy to outline basic chord progressions. Adding a single finger to fret the major or minor third (e.g., C# for A major or C for A minor on the E3 string) can quickly transform the open power chord into fuller major or minor harmonies, expanding its harmonic potential.

How to Tune Your Cigar Box Guitar

To achieve the Balalaika Alto tuning (E3 - E3 - A3) from a common starting point, follow these string adjustments:

• String 3 (Lowest String): If your string is currently D3, tune up 2 semitones to reach E3.
• String 2 (Middle String): If your string is currently G3, tune down 3 semitones to reach E3.
• String 1 (Highest String): If your string is currently B3, tune down 2 semitones to reach A3.

Important Note: While these tuning movements are generally within safe limits for standard string gauges, it's always advisable to exercise caution when adjusting string tension. For tuning changes that exceed a range of negative 4 or positive 4 semitones from your string's intended pitch, it is highly recommended to consider using a different string gauge to ensure optimal performance and prevent string breakage or excessive tension/looseness.

String 3: E3 - The lowest string, contributing the foundational fifth (E) of the open A power chord. It provides significant depth and resonance to the overall sound. This string is tuned up 2 semitones from an assumed D3 starting point.

String 2: E3 - Tuned in unison with the lowest string, this creates a rich, full-bodied drone and reinforces the powerful open A power chord. This string is tuned down 3 semitones from an assumed G3 starting point.

String 1: A3 - The highest string, providing the root note (A) of the open A power chord, which completes the harmonic structure and provides clarity to the chord. This string is tuned down 2 semitones from an assumed B3 starting point.