Portable | Kalinka Malinka Noty

A note for musicians: The rhythm of the word "Kalinka" (Ka-lin-ka) is the rhythmic engine of the piece. When looking at your sheet music, pay close attention to the dotted rhythms that mimic the shaking of a berry bush.

When you find your noty , listen to the 1963 recording by the Osipov Balalaika Orchestra first. Try to match their tempo. Then, slow it down by 50%. That is the only way to survive the "Malinka" madness. kalinka malinka noty

Accordion and BayanThis is the "gold standard" for Kalinka. Authentic Russian arrangements for the bayan often include complex bellows shakes and chromatic runs. Look for sheet music that specifically labels the bass buttons to capture that traditional "ump-pah" folk rhythm. A note for musicians: The rhythm of the