Basically they are tuned the same fashion that 3 stringed balalaikas are tuned. I mentioned earlier that there are some six string balalaikas. They are tuned to EAD: (1st string: D in minor octave) - (2nd string: A in major octave) - (3rd string: E in major octave) Tuning 6 String Balalaikas The Bass and Contrabass Balalaika are tuned in the same fashion, just the Contrabass is bigger. The Alto Balalaika is tuned to EEA: (1st string: A in minor octave) - (2nd string: E in minor octave) - (3rd string: E in minor octave) The 2nd and the 3rd string are tuned to the same pitch. The Secunda Balalaika is tuned to AAD: (1st string: D in first octave) - (2nd string: A in minor octave) - (3rd string A in minor octave) The 2nd and 3rd string are tuned to the same note. Sometimes the balalaika is tuned 'guitar style' to GBD (mimicking the three highest strings of the Russian guitar), making it a little bit easier to play for Russian guitarists, although balalaika purists frown on this tuning. The most common balalaika is the prima, which is tuned to EEA (The 2nd and 3rd string are tuned to the same note).
