The zhaleika was eventually incorporated into the balalaika band, the Hungarian tarogato, and may have contributed to the development of the chalumeau, a predecessor of the clarinet.

The design consists of a wooden barrel (pipe) with finger holes and a flared bell that can be made of either natural or man-made materials.

[4] The earliest evidence of the zhaleika was in A. Tuchkov's notes dating back to the late 18th century.

It was widely spread in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania, but now can only be seen in folk music orchestras.

It consisted of a double-reed oboe type with additional finger holes and vents for chromatic scale.