The Ukulele - Is Size Important?

The ukulele is usually regarded as a very simple instrument. So buying one would be easy, right? That's not the case. Visit a good music store or browse the net and you'll be overwhelmed with the choice. As well as different brands and styles of ukulele they come in a number of different sizes. This article will give you a better idea of which is right for you.

Ukuleles are divided according to their size. There are four main classifications: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone.

Soprano Ukulele

The soprano ukulele is the smallest size of ukulele (21 inches from top to tail). It's is the classic size of ukulele. The one most people think of when you they think of a ukulele.

A soprano ukulele gives you the sound most associated with the ukulele. Some hardcore ukers regard it as the only true ukulele. If you want the 20s and 30s sound, choose a soprano.

The soprano, being so small, is the perfect instrument for a child. Another advantage of the soprano is the price. The cheapest ukuleles around are always sopranos.

Concert Ukulele

The concert ukulele is the next up in size with a length of around 23 inches.

Being slightly larger, the concert ukulele gives your fingers more space to move - making it easier to play. But it's close enough in size to a soprano ukulele to retain the distinctive sound.

The concert ukulele is the compromise candidate and is my favorite size of ukulele.

Tenor Ukulele

Tenor ukuleles are larger still, around 26 inches in length.

Tenor ukuleles tend to be the choice of professional ukulele players such as Jake Shimabukuro. Their greater size gives the fingers plenty of room for ukulele pyrotechnics. They also have the advantage of being louder than soprano and concert ukuleles.

I tend to pick up my tenor ukulele when I'm performing a solo ukulele piece - particularly if I'm playing in front of a small group of people.

Baritone Ukulele

The baritone ukulele is much larger than the other sizes (at 30 inches) and is tuned differently. Rather than being tuned like a ukulele, its strings are tuned the same as the top four strings of the guitar. This means it sounds much more like a guitar than it does a ukulele (much deeper than a ukulele). Many ukulele players don't even regard baritone ukuleles as ukuleles but tenor guitars.

Baritone ukuleles are a good choice for people looking to move on to playing guitar.

My advice for first time ukulele buyers is to get yourself a relatively cheap soprano ukulele. This will give you a feel for the instrument and you'll find out whether you want to invest more in a serious instrument and will also give you an idea of what size will suit your playing style. Whichever you start out with, it's almost inevitable you'll become a ukulele addict and end up buying at least one of each size.