Prystrunky - term used for the additional strings strung across the body of Ukrainian folk instruments such as the kobza

Kobza

The kobza is a Ukrainian folk music instrument of the lute family , a relative of the Central European mandora...

, bandura

Bandura

Bandura refers to a Ukrainian plucked string folk instrument. It combines elements of a box zither and lute, as well as its lute-like predecessor, the kobza...

 and torban

Torban

The torban is a Ukrainian musical instrument that combines the features of the Baroque Lute with those of the psaltery. The Тorban differs from the more common European Bass lute known as the Theorbo in that it had additional short treble strings strung along the treble side of the soundboard. It...

. Literally meaning "Near the strings". These additional strings are thought to have appeared on these instruments in the 17th century. On the contemporary bandura they are now the main strings on which the performer plays.

Sources

• Diakowsky, M. J. - The Bandura. The Ukrainian Trend, 1958, №I, - С.18-36
• Diakowsky, M. – Anyone can make a bandura – I did. The Ukrainian Trend, Volume 6
• Haydamaka, L. – Kobza-bandura – National Ukrainian Musical Instrument. "Guitar Review" №33, Summer 1970 (С.13-18)
• Mishalow, V. - A Short History of the Bandura. East European Meetings in Ethnomusicology 1999, Romanian Society for Ethnomusicology, Volume 6, - С.69-86
• Mizynec, V. - Folk Instruments of Ukraine. Bayda Books, Melbourne, Australia, 1987 - 48с.