Perepelochka

Made in Belorus, the former Soviet Republic west of Russia, these fun little instruments are found in many better toy stores, along with extra music sets such as those in the background of the photo. That's a newer version to the left and an older to the right. There has been at least one additional version of the bird logo and "Перепелочка" label ("Perepelochka" -- but "transliterated in eBay listings as Nepenenoyka, Nepenenoc4ka, Nepeneaouka, and who knows what, by those unfamiliar with Cyrillic script).

"Perepelochka" is either "a little bird," or some specific little bird; it is also the name of a traditional Russian song, so it is frustrating me that I haven't been able to pin that down.The American importer, European Expressions, avoids that question, as well as the question of whether they instrument is a Lap Harp or a Zither, by marketing it as "Music Maker."

In spite of the differences in appearance and construction, these are functionally and aurally almost identical to the Harbert Italiana "Jr Zither" illustrated in my previous post. The music sheets aren't quite interchangable, due to the different shapes and different standard tunings (G major for the Perepelochka, C major for the Harbert Italiana), but either can be tuned for the other's key, and the music sheets used by photocopying (a slight reduction/enlargement helps, but isn't totally necesary) and trimming to the other's shape.

These are very satisfactory toys, and are well worth getting, especially for those whose age or disabilities may preclude other instruments.

Good pluck play.