Ukulele 101

Size

The first thing you might notice is that all ukes don't look the same - they come in different sizes. While the soprano size is the most popular, each size has its pros and cons.

 

We carry five different sizes of ukuleles:

• Soprano – (also known as "standard" in Hawaii) This is the most popular size of ukulele. The soprano is the ukulele that is most easily recognized because the size is very compact (20-21" long with a 13" fretboard) and the tone is bright and sweet. It is extremely light and portable and is the official “go anywhere” instrument. And all things considered, it is usually priced the cheapest (so if you ding it up you can simply get another)! The soprano ukulele is the one often given to beginners who are interested in learning the ukulele.

• Concert – This one is also referred to as the alto ukulele. It is slightly larger than the soprano model (24" long) and it has a 15" fretboard instead of the 13" on the soprano. It has a fuller, more rounded tone than a soprano ukulele. The frets (where you put your fingers to make different chords or notes) are spaced slightly further apart on a Concert Uke and can be easier for some people to play, especially on chords where you need to put a lot of fingers close together.

• Tenor – Slightly larger than the concert size (27" long with a 17" fretboard), the tenor typically has a greater volume than smaller ukulele sizes, making it a very good instrument size for most performing soloists. Tenor ukuleles usually have 15 or more frets and their larger size allows for instrument makers to incorporate cutaway designs to make it easier for players to reach the higher frets. It also has a fuller tone than the concert ukulele. It comes in 4 or 6-string types. You can even get an 8-string type of ukulele as a tenor.

• Baritone – This is typically the largest of the ukuleles and closely resembles a mini-guitar (30" long with a 19" fretboard.) And unlike the other smaller size ukes which are tuned G-C-E-A ("my dog has fleas" - with the "C" as the lowest note), the Baritone is typically tuned like a guitar with the four strings matching the highest four strings on a guitar (D-G-B-E) It has a very rich tone and is an excellent choice for guitar players looking to cross-over.

• Bass - We also carry a "bass" ukulele made by Kala Ukuleles. It is called a "U-Bass". It is basically the same size as a baritone uke and it produces the same pitches as a standard bass instrument and is tuned in traditional bass tuning, EADG. Available in fretted and fretless models, the U-BASS is strung with proprietary polyurethane strings that incorporate a great bass feel, with balanced tension; they are a true pleasure to play. This is generally not for new ukulele players, but it really is great for bass players wanting a true "travel" instrument.

 

Strings

Most of our ukuleles come with nylon strings that sound true and are easy to play (you will especially appreciate it if you have suffered through the calluses you get when playing a steel-string guitar). Almost all of our ukuleles come with white Aquila-brand strings. These are high-quality, well-known strings that will have you playing in comfort for a long time. Unlike guitar strings, you likely won't have to change your ukulele strings frequently at all if you are just a recreational player. The strings don't rust and after a short break-in period stay pretty much in tune. Another popular ukulele string option is fluorocarbon. While more expensive, fluorocarbon has been said to be brighter, louder, and less sensitive to temperature changes. It is also denser than nylon. 

 

Wood

Not surprisingly, the main material in most ukuleles is the wood on the body, fretboard, and head. Different kinds of wood can affect the sound quality of the ukulele and its appearance and (not surprisingly) has the most direct effect on the price of the uke. There is no "right" or "wrong" wood for a ukulele - they create different sounds and appeal to different players. Generally speaking, however, Mahogany and Spruce tend to be less expensive while Hawaiian Koa, Spalted Maple, and Acacia tend to be more expensive. Koa is a hardwood native to Hawaii and is held in high esteem there. It is beautiful and produces a sweet sound. Mahogany produces a nice warm sound and is probably the best "value" for a ukulele, but the appearance and sounds of some of the more exotic woods are truly amazing.

 

Getting Started

OK, so you've picked out the ukulele of your dreams (or maybe just a bargain one to learn on for now.) What else do you need? Not much really. The Ukulele, besides being a fun and remarkably portable instrument, is very easy on the wallet. To have a complete package you generally need just a few things:

• A case or a bag for your uke. We carry a full line of ukulele bags and cases in all sizes.

• A tuner - this is pretty critical, actually. The charm of the ukulele can fade pretty quickly if it is out of tune. This can be as simple as a pitch pipe (if you feel comfortable tuning by ear) or a chromatic tuner you may already have for another instrument. If you don't already have one, we suggest getting a dedicated ukulele tuner. They are super simple and make tuning your uke even a little fun.

• A lesson book - pretty important if you are starting out. We have a couple of learning-to-play books (with or without CDs) that can get you going right away.

• Ukulele music - this is optional, strictly speaking if you have a lesson book since it will have some beginning songs. But you want to play more than just a few songs, right? We carry songbooks featuring ukulele music for the Beatles, Elvis, Beach Boys, etc. We also have a whole line of "Jumpin' Jim" ukulele books that are loaded with songs that fit all experience levels.

That is it - enjoy!