Ukulele - A Traditional Baby Guitar From Hawaii

Recently, we saw the latest trending among guitar enthusiast is the "baby" guitar. It's small, easy to carry and hold, and easy for travel. But the true original "baby" guitar has been around with us for many years. We may saw it performed in the clubs or lounges but didn't pay much attention, it's called Ukulele.

Today, Ukelele is commonly associated with music from the Hawaiian islands due to its use in popular music originating there. According to Queen Lili'uokalani, the last Hawaiian Monarch, the name means "the gift that came here", from the Hawaiian words uku (gift or reward) and lele (to come).

In 1915, this exotic baby guitar gained popularity on the mainland of the United States beginning in San Francisco. This is due in part to the Panama Pacific International Exposition, which took place in San Francisco, where Ukulele prominently featured in exhibit. It is estimated having 17 million visitors. The popularity of this exhibit at the Expo launched a fad for Hawaiian-themed music, including Ukulele, on the mainland of the United States.

Ukulele has been played as a solo instrument for many years, but groups of Ukulele players are cropping up all over the world. Ukulele also played in orchestra and ensembles as well.

This amazing baby guitar commonly has four strings and is actually big on tone and sweet in sound. The sounds emanating from a Ukelele depends on its size and how it has been constructed. There are four common sizes of this instrument: Soprano, Concert, Tenor and Baritone.

Soprano, the smallest Ukelele, is the original size. In Hawaii, it is known as the "standard" Ukulele, extremely light and portable. Soprano is probably the most popular and widely owned and played of Ukulele. Soprano usually have around 15 frets, as the smallest, producing tiny sound most recognizably from Ukulele. As a result of its small size, kids generally easily holding it, so encourage them to learn how to play it. Many schools utilize Soprano size Ukuleles in their music classes.

Concert was introduced in 1920s, as an enhancement of Soprano. Concert Ukuleles are slightly larger than Soprano and usually have anywhere between 15 and 20 frets, producing deeper tones.

Tenor Ukuleles are slightly larger than Concert, producing more volume and deeper bass tone compare with Concert and usually have 15 or more frets. Concert is the choice size for most performing soloists.

Baritone is the largest size, was created in the 1940s, is the largest of Ukulele sizes. Baritone exhibits a much deeper sound than other ukulele sizes.

As for choosing the right size, the very best way to find the perfect Ukulele for you is to check out Ukuleles by yourself. How it sounds and feels to you is the most important thing when time has come to decide.

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Beginner Ukulele Chords Part 5 - How to Play an E Minor Chord

If you've been following our series of articles on beginner ukulele chords you'll already be able to play a number of chords: A minor, G, F and C. In this article we'll be giving you one more to add to your repertoire: E minor.

As you'll remember from our previous article on the A minor chord, all minor chords need to contain a note that is three frets above the chord note (also know as a minor third). With the chord note being E, the chord E minor must contain the note G.

There are two ways you can play the E chord on the ukulele in the first position and we'll be taking a look at how to play both of them.

E Minor: Option One

The first version of the E minor chord we'll look at is the most common one and requires three fingers to play. Third finger - C string - 4th fret. Second finger - E string - 3rd fret. First finger - A string - 2nd fret.

The remaining string (G) should remain open to give you the first way of playing the Em chord.

E Minor Chord: Alternative Version

As you might have noticed, the first way of playing the Em chord has two G notes in it: at the third fret of the E string and the open G string.

For any chord, you only need to hear each note that makes it up once. So you can do away with the one on the E string and let that string ring open too (since the note E is obviously part of the Em chord).

This might string you as being an easier way to play the chord - since it takes one less finger to play - but that is not true.

Taking your finger off the E string will increase its height. This makes it much more likely that you will accidentally mute it with your ring finger. That's why the first inversion we covered is the more popular.

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Ukulele Sizes - The Explanation

There are four main sizes of ukulele. Some manufacturers make variations on this and have completely different types like the kala pocket uke, but I won't go into them here.

The sizes are (from smallest to largest)
* Soprano
* Concert
* Tenor
* Baritone

Sopranos are the smallest and the original uke. Around 21" (53 cm) in length and usually having around 12 frets, it's the most common uke. All the toy ukes come in this size it's a good uke from a beginner to a professional.

Concert ukuleles are slightly larger, at about 23" (58 cm) with around 15 frets. They have a louder deeper sound and also a very common ukulele. I've got a Greg Bennett in this size and the range in frets allows you to play some solos that just aren't possible on a soprano.

Tenor ukuleles are bigger still, at roughly 26" (66 cm) and 17 or so frets. They are louder and deeper still. Used for a lot of jazz and blues, some are often tuned with a low G string (always makes me laugh) to give it more range and a different strumming sound. Jake shimabukuro often uses a tenor or concert when performing.

Baritone ukuleles are an odd one. The biggest uke, at around 30" (76 cm). they're the loudest and lowest uke. Strings are tuned like a bass guitar and used in a similar fashion. I might get one just for kicks.

So decide what you want to do with a uke before you get one, but if you're starting out, get a soprano, they're cheaper and great for strumming to your favourite karaoke songs.

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Ukulele Tab: Learn To Play Happy Birthday To You

An ukulele can be used to play chords when you sing but you can also play melodies. It's fun and quite easy to learn melodies on your uke with ukulele tab. Let's learn to play Happy Birthday To You!

As many people know "Happy Birthday to You" is a song which is sung to celebrate a person's birth. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, "Happy Birthday to You" is the most popular song in the English language.

Here is the most common lyrics. "Peter" is to be replaced by the name of the celebrating person.

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear "Peter",

Happy birthday to you.

I use my own form of ukulele tab for articles like this to be sure that the tabs are readable on article sites. The more common ukulele tab staff notation can be found on my site with ukulele tabs and free sheet music.

The string with the highest pitch is usually an A and is called the first string. The first string is the string nearest your feet when you play your uke.

The first notes in the song are on the third string.

The first number indicates the fret. The second number after the slash tells you which string to play. Here is the first line of lyrics and the ukulele tab:

Happy birthday to you,

0/3 0/3 2/3 0/3 1/2 0/2

0/3 indicates that you play the third string with your right hand thumb for example without pressing down any left hand finger. It is called to play on the open third string.

This type of ukulele tab doesn't indicate the length of the notes. I guess you hear that the first two notes are short and the last note long.

Let's play the next line:

Happy birthday to you,

0/3 0/3 2/3 0/3 3/2 1/2

3/2 means that you press down a left hand finger on the third fret of the second string. I haven't told you anything about which left hand finger to press down on the frets on your ukulele.

You can use your first finger for all the notes but a more professional approach is to play the notes on the first fret with your first finger, the notes on the second fret with your long finger and the notes on your third fret with your ring finger.

Maybe it's difficult at first but with practice it will be easier for you to find the right notes. You don't even have to look at your fingers to find the right fret if you get accustomed to this way of playing.

The next line comes now:

Happy birthday dear "Peter",

0/3 0/3 3/1 0/1 1/2 0/2 2/3

You know what the ukulele tab above tells you by now.

The last line comes here:

Happy birthday to you.

1/1 1/1 0/1 1/2 3/2 1/2

Now you can play Happy Birthday To You on your ukulele and you are prepared for the next birthday party!

Actually you can play this melody with the use of the above ukulele tab notation on a guitar also. The first three strings are tuned the same way but not in the same pitch.

The ukulele tab notation I have used is good for finding the notes but I recommend you to learn the melody by heart so you can play it anytime and anywhere!

Buying That First Ukulele Part 1

Introduction
Buying a ukulele for the first time can be a daunting experience. The size of the ukulele is an important step in that first purchase. Smaller sizes have higher tones and are generally ideal for strumming and children. Larger sizes produce louder sounds and are more suitable for finger picking and complex chord playing. Equally important is the cost. Buying a cheap ukulele may cause you not to play the instrument. This article is the first in a three part series that discusses these issues in buying that first ukulele. The article concludes with some helpful hints.

The Ukulele Family
Ukuleles typically come in four sizes, from the smallest, the soprano (about 21 inches long in total), then the concert (23 inches), next is the tenor (26 inches) and finally is the baritone (30 inches). The fifth member of the family is the ukulele banjo.

The Soprano is considered the standard size for ukuleles and usually has 12 to 14 frets. It is the smallest of the ukuleles and has the highest pitch. Most people tend to start with the soprano since it is most suited to strumming and chord playing where most people start. Its smaller size makes it easy to hold, easier fretting of big stretches, is perfect for children and easy to carry and store.

The Concert is a little larger, allowing for a bigger sound and has a larger fingerboard, with around 14 to 17 frets and maybe more. The concert is a good compromise between the soprano and the tenor ukuleles retaining that classic ukulele sound. Its larger size allows for a little extra room for playing chords, ideal for people with larger hands and is easy to carry and store.

The Tenor is the largest of the traditionally tuned ukuleles and has 17 to 19 frets. With its larger size the sound produced is louder and fuller than the smaller ukuleles. The larger neck also makes it easier for playing solos and different chords. Its popularity with professional musicians has made tenors ever more popular with amateur players and even beginners. Many guitarists prefer the tenor ukulele.

The Baritone is the largest ukulele, almost the size of a guitar, and has a bigger and fuller sound. Baritone ukuleles have around 19 to 21 frets and are tuned like the top four strings of a guitar. They are popular with former guitar players or people who plan on moving to the guitar.

What to expect to pay
With ukuleles becoming more popular and inexpensive imports from Asia, it is not unusual to purchase a reasonably good instrument at an affordable price. Avoid cheap models that are usually brightly colored or made of plastic and don't be surprised if you have to move up a model or two. Spending fifty to one hundred dollars will get you a decent ukulele that will sound and will feel better to play. Having a nice ukulele will encourage you to play more often.

Helpful Hints
The best advise is to go to a music store that sells ukuleles and ask questions. Pick up the instrument, look at it and see if it meets your expectations and that you will enjoy playing. Unfortunately, there are not many shops that specialize in selling ukuleles and many stores have a limited selection.

There are many reputable websites that sell ukuleles for less that you may find in music stores. Many of the better websites should have a customer support department where you can call or email questions or concerns, if not avoid them.

Here are some helpful tips:

· Prepare to spend anywhere from fifty to one hundred dollars and maybe move up a model or two.
· The Soprano for small hands, buying for a child or just strumming chords.
· The Concert for larger hands and prefer a louder sound.
· The Tenor for playing solo riffs or intricate chords or want a louder sound.
· The Baritone for something close to the traditional guitar.

Ukuleles can bring years of musical enjoyment as you explore its history and musical flexibility. This article just touches on some of the important decisions in purchasing that first ukulele. The second article in this series discusses tonewoods and laminate versus solid wood ukuleles. Until then, happy strumming!

Ukulele Lesson - Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Instruction

You can actually play melodies on your ukulele! In this ukulele tutorial you will learn to play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star in the key of C. I will tell you how to place your fingers on the frets so you will not have to read sheet music!

There are many ways to notate melodies for ukulele. The most common way is to use ukulele tablature that consists of four lines representing the strings on your ukulele and numbers placed on the lines to indicate which frets to press down.

In this article I will instruct you with English words how to play on your ukulele. We will play this melody in the key of C. I presuppose that your ukulele is tuned in C which is the most common tuning.

C-tuning means that the first string on your ukulele is tuned in A. The first string is the bottom string when you hold your ukulele in playing position. The second string is tuned in E, the third string in C and the fourth string in G.

The notes I just mentioned can be found in the fourth octave on a piano. That is the octave in the middle of a piano or a keyboard.

Remember, the first string is the bottom string on your ukulele when you play.

Try to use your left hand index finger to play the notes on the first fret, the middle finger to play the notes on the second fret and your ring finger for the notes on the third fret. Practice to play this way and you will experience that this is an effective way to play melodies as you can keep your left hand in the same position as you play the notes and it will also be easier to find the notes.

You can use your right hand thumb to pluck the notes or use a pick.

I will use two ways to show you how to play the melody.

1. First you will find the lyrics to the song, one line at a time. Below the lyrics I will show you the melody in a form of notation that I call number tablature. In this notation every note consists of two numbers, the first number tells you which fret to play and the following number which string to play. If the first number is a 0 it means that you play the string without pressing down a fret.

2. Below this notation I also give you a description on how to play the melody with words.

Here are the lyrics line by line with corresponding ukulele tablature and instructions on how to play:

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

03 03 32 32 01 01 32

Play the open third string twice. An open string is a string you play without pressing down a fret. Then play the third fret second string twice, the open first string twice and the third fret second string.

How I wonder what you are

12 12 02 02 23 23 03

Play first fret second string twice, second open string twice, second fret third string twice, then the open third string.

Up above the world so high

32 32 12 12 02 02 23

Third fret second string twice, first fret second string twice, open second string twice, second fret third string.

Like a diamond in the sky!

The same melody as the previous line!

Now you only have to repeat the two first lines of the melody and you have completed the song!

Learn the melody one line at a time until you master the song by heart and you are ready to play it for your friends!

Lanikai Ukulele - Play The Sound of Hawaii

The Ukulele is often associated with Hawaii, although it actually comes from a guitar-like instruments of Portuguese origin and oddly enough means "jumping flea" in Hawaiian, maybe because your fingers resemble a flea jumping around on the fret board while you are playing.

If you're looking for a well made great sounding instrument you can trust a Lanikai Ukulele which are actually made by the Hohner music company which make many high quality musical instrument. You'll find each ukulele's sound to be as soothing as a white sand beach as you strum to the tune of the ocean.

Beginner ukulele players will especially enjoy the superb craftsmanship in the entry level lu 21. Here are a few details:

Scale Length: 13.625"
Nato wood top, back, and sides
Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
Geared tuners
White binding on the top
4 strings
12 frets

It's important to keep your Lanikai Ukulele in good condition so that it can keep its rich full sound for years to come.

Keep your Ukulele in its case when you are not playing it, this will protect it from heat, outside forces and humidity bumps.

Use a reputable polish to clean your instrument from time to time (do not use wax).

Change your strings often, a cheap ukulele with new strings will often sound better than an superb ukulele with old strings.

Use a cotton cloth to wipe down the body and strings after you play.

Never let it get wet.

The Honer company has been making the Lanikai Ukulele for quite some time now and has expanded their line up from the entry level lanikai lu 21 soprano ukulele that retails for around $80 to the more expensive $400+ Lanikai SM-CE Limited Edition Spalted Mango Concert Acoustic-Electric Ukulele.

History of Ukulele Music - You Can Get in on the Fun Too!

Instrumental ukulele music is on the verge to becoming just as popular as mainstream ukulele music is. People are finally starting to realize that the ukulele is capable of making very good music. This instrument has been around since 1879 and it is just now being realized how it can make such enjoyable quality music.

When the ukulele was first invented the Hawaiians where not impressed with the beautiful music that the instrument was capable of making. It wasn't till around 1915 that the ukulele popularity came over to the main land. It was after that the craze of the ukulele began which raised the popularity of the instrument. No matter what the history is behind it, the ukulele is now Hawaii's most popular musical instrument.

There was a great demand for ukuleles, which meant that production had to increase substantially. Of the original creators, by 1910, only one of them remained and he couldn't keep up with the demand. New competitors entered the field after time offering unique designs. Although there was a great deal of competition, there were still enough orders that each business was still being flooded.

Competition took a turn when the main land guitar manufactures started making ukuleles around 1915. The Hawaiians where angry when it was learned the mainland manufactures started stamping "Made in Hawaii" on their Ukuleles. The Hawaiian ukulele makers created an original stamp that the legislature backed. Sometime in the 1920's, main land makers started mass-producing the ukulele.

Today we are seeing surges of ukulele music popularity coming back. Hawaii is home to many musicians who have devoted their life to playing the music of the ukulele. The ukulele is very light and also very portable which means that it makes it very easy to practice it.

Even though ukulele music has been around for over 130 years and it is still a very popular musical instrument choice. The music has a lot of history behind it but no matter what the history is, it is now a very popular instrument in world-wide. Even now the demand of ukuleles is growing in South America and other unexpected places.

The ukulele is the little brother of the guitar family and is usually seen with four nylon stings. The volume and tone of the instrument depends solely on the size that it is. They come in four different sizes and are enjoyed by countless individuals all over the world. The three smaller ukulele sizes are the soprano, concert, and tenor, and are tuned to the Key of C with the reentrant "my dog has fleas" tuning. The largest ukulele, the baritone is tuned to the Key of G like a guitar and the baritone ukulele is tuned exactly as the 4 smallest strings of a guitar. All guitar players can immediately play the baritone ukulele, although they may not know it.

If you are looking for a really fun instrument to learn, you do well to find a ukulele.

Ukulele For Beginners - Learn to Play the Ukulele

The first step for ukulele for beginners is to decide what type of ukulele to play.

There are 4 main sizes to choose from. Soprano, Concert, Tenor and the Baritone

The Soprano Ukulele is the smallest and the most common type of ukulele. It measures about 20-21 inches long, and is a great for a child or someone with smaller hands. It is inexpensive and can be typically found as souvenir ukuleles in gift shops as well as in school music classes. It is the popular type for novice players, but because of its size and its sound quality it is quickly out grown by its user.

The next size is the Concert Ukulele. It delivers the "classic" ukulele sound and is great for the first time user as well as the seasoned player. It measures 22" - 24" and its size allows the user to easily manipulate fingers along the frets of the instrument.

The ukulele of choice for professional players is the Tenor Ukulele. It measures 27-29". The sound is not the typical "ukulele" sound. It is sometimes played with the low G string which gives the instrument a more bass type of sound.

Baritone ukuleles are the largest of the ukulele sizes. Unlike the other sizes, the baritone is tuned differently. The strings are tuned the same as the bottom 4 strings of a guitar.

Once you decide the type of instrument that fits your needs. The next step is tuning. There are several tuners on the market that range anywhere from $5 - $30. Again whatever fits your need..go with it.

Next step is the learning the basic chords. A basic ukulele chord book can be found online or in your local bookstore.

There you have it. Three simple and basic steps to get you started on learning to play the ukulele.

Fabulous Background Facts on the Ukulele

The Ukulele is a fabulous instrument to learn and play with its simplicity and social connections. It gives schools a simple alternative to the recorder for young students to learn and adults a mobile small instrument to pick, strum and sing along to, either by ones self or a group of friends. The ukulele has some fabulous background facts which are interesting to know before you strum your first song.

The Ukulele was bought to Hawaii by the Portuguese immigrants in the nineteenth century and in Hawaiian means "Jumping Flea".It gained popularity in other parts of America during the twentieth century before spreading to the rest of the world.

The ukulele resembles a small guitar with a fretted fingerboard and four strings that are picked or strummed. There are four common sizes. The soprano or standard size is the smallest and was developed first. The The concert ukulele was developed in the 1920's and it is slightly larger and louder with a more deeper tone than the soprano. The tenor ukulele with its increased size, greater volume and deeper bass tone was developed shortly after. In the 1940's the largest size called the baritone was developed. Some less common ukuleles are the sopranino and bass.

The shape of the ukulele is typically like that of a small acoustic guitar, but other non-standard shapes which are seen include the oval shape (pineapple ukulele ), boat-paddle shape or square shape occasionally.

Ukuleles are generally made of wood and the price of them to buy are determined by the quality of the wood used. Cheaper Ukuleles are generally made of ply or laminate woods with soundboards made of inexpensive but acoustically superior wood such as spruce. Some more expensive ukuleles are made of exotic hardwoods such as mahogany, Most expensive ukuleles are made from Koa, a Hawaiian wood which gives ukuleles an attractive colour and fine tone. They can cost thousands.

Before you create any sound on the ukulele you need to make sure all the strings are in tune. Ukuleles go out of tune especially the cheaper brands and so it is a good idea to tune them at the beginning of each play.

The standard tuning for soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles is C tuning which means the four strings will be associated with the pitch of G C E A. The 4th string is G, 3rd string is C, the 2nd string is E, the 1st string is A. That is when you strike the open string it sounds those notes. The G is tuned to the G above middle C on the piano, an octave higher than you might think. The baritone ukulele is tuned to D G B E with the sound going from low to high.

To tune a ukulele, the tuning heads at the head of the ukulele are loosened to lower the pitch and tightened to raise the pitch. It is a good idea to loosen the string below pitch to begin with and gradually tighten the heads until you reach the desired pitch.

There are several ways to tune a ukulele. They are:
1. Electric Tuner: This instrument will tell you when you have reached the desires pitch.
2. External Source like a piano keyboard or guitar. Just play the required note on the other instrument and turn the tuning heads on the ukulele until they reach the sound on that instrument.
3. Relative Tuning: This is often used when there is no external source or tuner to use. Basically you assume that the 3rd string is correctly tuned to C. Then you press down the fourth fret ( small distance between metal rods on the fretboard ) on the third string and tune the second string until they sound the same. Then you press down the fifth fret (A ) on the second string and tune the open first string to it. Finally, press down the third fret on the third fret (G ) and tune the forth string to it. When all strings are in tune then they will sound out the phrase - My Dog Has Fleas.

The ukulele history and the variable ukulele sizes, shapes and materials used to create them are all fabulous background facts on the ukulele which are useful to know. Ukulele tuning is essential to know if you wish to learn and play the ukulele.

Types of Ukulele - Concert and Cutaway

There are several different voices of ukulele and several different body designs. The soprano is the smallest of the models and has the highest voice. The concert model is one size larger, followed by the tenor and the baritone. This is among the best selling sizes for ukuleles. The body is large enough that it has good resonance and the pitch is pleasant; high enough for melodies and low enough for rich bass. Many professionals choose this size of ukulele. Concert cutaway models have an additional feature that makes the useful for those who play challenging pieces.

The body of a ukulele generally joins the neck around the 12th fret. This makes it difficult to maintain correct hand position while fretting notes above the octave on any string. A cutaway allows the player to slide their hand underneath the neck and to fret any note among the smallest frets with greater precision and, thus, better tone. For difficult pieces, this is a necessary feature for a ukulele. Concert cutaway body styles also allow players to preserve their energy, as they're not required to stretch their hands into odd contortions to hit certain notes. When one is playing a long piece, this is a huge benefit.

Some players prefer a traditional ukulele. Concert cutaway models do make using the upper frets easier for most players, but some will actually prefer more "meat" around the higher frets. Especially for players with larger hands, the junction of the body and the neck can be used as a leverage point, helping them to maintain good finger pressure without exhausting their hands. There are plenty of concert-sized ukuleles on the market that are not cutaway models. If a cutaway doesn't seem particularly beneficial, try one of these models to see if it is preferable.

There are plenty of custom body options for any brand of ukulele. Concert cutaway styles are but one option. Exotic body styles sometimes employ rounded backs, square shapes and innovative woodworking where the neck and body meet. Electric ukuleles offer till more body style options, as the body isn't required to actually resonate the sound. Changing the body style on an electric uke, however, will change the sound quality somewhat, so there are still plenty of options for body styles where these instruments are concerned. As ukuleles have become taken more seriously as instruments, there has been more effort put toward making them more versatile.

There are a few things to consider when selecting a non-traditionally shaped ukulele. Concert cutaway types will take the same style of case as any traditionally-shaped ukulele, but others will not. It may be more difficult to find cases for custom shapes and it may be more difficult to find stands that can accommodate ukuleles without rounded bottoms. Make sure to keep this in mind before buying. For cutaways, however, there should be no problem finding several different options for a suitable case. Other shapes generally come with custom cases.

Guide to the Types and Styles of the Ukulele

The ukulele is a very small guitar that originated from an island in Portugal called Madeira. This instrument was called "braguinha" in Portuguese. In 1879, travelers took a ship from the island of Madeira to Hawaii. Craftsmen who witnessed this instrument being played were fascinated and began producing it for Hawaiians. The instrument was nicknamed "ukulele," which actually means, "jumping flea." It is also called "uke" for short.

Ukes are different from guitars in several ways. They are usually very lightweight and easy to carry. Original style ukes are easier to learn to play because they have fewer strings. They are also easier on the fingers. Ukes are, however, limited in the range of notes that can be played. They are great for musicians who want simplicity!

Today this instrument is still very popular in Hawaii and is being shipped to music lovers around the world. Let's take a look at the types and styles of ukuleles.

Four Types of Ukuleles

There are four standard types of ukuleles, which are concert, soprano, tenor, and baritone. The most commonly used type is the soprano ukulele. Each type, except the baritone, is tuned using the well-known tune/phrase "my dog has fleas!" This involves hitting the keys G, C, E and then A. The tenor type is one octave down from soprano. The baritone's tuning is accomplished using this order of keys: E, B, G, D.

There are also hybrid ukuleles being produced today, such as the banjulele (banjo body), taropatch (eight-stringed instrument) and ukelin. These specialty instruments are usually developed by individuals or specialty musical instrument companies. Some are even highly collectible today.

The soprano uke is the smallest at about 21 inches long. The concert uke is about 23 inches long. The baritone uke is 30 inches long, and the tenor uke is 26 inches long. The baritone and tenor ukes are more similar to regular-sized guitars, only with just four strings.

Styles of Ukuleles

Ukuleles may also come in a variety of styles, colors, and shapes to reflect the personality of the musician. Some examples of style variety are the Bushman ukuleles, which come in styles such as Jenny Soprano, Jenny Pineapple, Jenny Concert, Jenny Tenor, and Jenny Baritone.

A ukulele maker might use a variety of high-quality woods to produce the instruments such as Mahogany to give the instrument a brilliant finish. The shapes of the instrument may vary as well. Some resemble the regular guitar shape while others might be completely oval-shaped, similar to a pineapple shape, or have a piece "cut away" at the neck.

With prices ranging from $169 and up, anyone can own a ukulele. They can be ordered online for music fans that live in areas where the ukulele is not readily available locally. There is also a wide variety of ukulele strings and accessories such as felt picks, tuners, amplifiers, shoulder straps, strap buttons, tuning machines, ukulele humidifiers, and more. Whether one wants a cheap ukulele to keep around the house for fun or an expensive one for professional concerts, it's easy to find just the right style online.

Ukulele Chord Changes - How to Make Them Smooth

The biggest challenge beginner ukulele players face is getting their chord changes quick and smooth. Too often players' strumming is halting whilst playing.

This article will give you a few tips on how to avoid this situation and bring together your chords to make smooth changes.

Tip 1: Play At A Slower Tempo

The biggest mistake most beginners make when learning the ukulele is trying to play too fast. Whenever you learn a new song, always start playing it at a snails pace. This will get your fingers used to making the changes.

If you're playing too fast, you will make mistakes. And the more mistakes you make, the more your fingers will repeat that same pattern and continue to make mistakes.

Tip 2: Strum Evenly

When you are strumming, make sure you strum slowly enough so that the chord changes fit between the strums and the music is smooth. At the beginning, this may mean you have to play exceptionally slowly. Don't worry about it.

Once you have it under your fingers, you can start to increase the tempo gradually. This will result in much smoother playing.

Tip 3: Prepare for the Changes

You should have in your mind and which chord comes next and how you're going to change to it. Think of ways you could make that change easier for yourself.

Take the change from a C chord to a G chord. With the C chord you'll be fretting the A string with your third finger. Whilst you're doing this, you could also be holding down the A string at the second fret with your middle finger - so it will be there already when you have to change to G.

Another preparation you can make is to have your fingers placed just above the string where they will have to be for the next chord. Now they will be much closer to where they need to be for the next chord.

Ukulele Cases - Protect Your Treasured Ukulele

The ukuleles have been around since 1879. There are several accessories for them, which is why caring for them is just one aspect of a musicians job. Of the better accessories, cases are extremely important because they will protect the ukulele from damages caused by tipping or bumping into it. It is important to keep your instrument maintained and the case will make it simpler to keep it maintained by keeping all the necessary parts and accessories right at hand.

It is important to get a ukulele case that fits your instrument properly. You need to measure the total length of your ukulele, Then measure the lower bout (hips) of the instrument and the thickness at the bottom.

The ukulele is the smallest stringed instrument which makes it the most portable. It also makes it more prone to damage from being packed from place to place. A hard case to store it in will save you a lot of time, energy, and money by shielding it from accidental mishaps that you would normally have to repair. It also helps to keep it in tune by providing some protection from humidity and weather.

In 1915 when the ukulele came across the ocean to the United States, the craze began. Everyone had to have one. Their popularity quickly spread across the United States. Then came the Roaring 20's and Tin Pin Alley days. Every young swain had to have a raccoon coat and a ukulele.

Unfortunately, by the year 1910, there was only one original ukulele creator left. Soon after this was realized, and the demand far outweighed the supply, the mainland guitar companies started producing ukuleles. Although there were several companies producing the instruments, they were still being flooded with the orders so all of the producers had work particularly hard to attempt to meet the demand. Chicago was a great manufacturing center for the ukulele. The mail order companies sold thousands of ukuleles.

The ukulele is a great instrument for young and old people because of the weight and size of it. Even young children enjoy picking at the strings and listening to the sound it produces. It is a small and light instrument, which is very nice when you want to travel with it. The popularity of concert ukulele instrumentals has grown to be almost as popular as mainstream ukulele music.

It is very popular to buy a case for your ukulele with the initial purchase because you won't have to tune your ukulele as often as if you didn't have a case. The case will protect your ukulele from suffering any damages from outside sources.

You only have to learn a few chords of your ukulele in order to play. It is a big advantage if you are able to make everyone smile becaue you can not play a sad song on a ukulele.

Keeping all your extra accessories, strings, picks, and music in any one of the fine cases available keeps you organized and ready to head to the next concert or gig in a heartbeat.

The ukulele comes in four sizes, soprano, concert, tenor and baritone ukulele. Case are made specifically for each size of instrument and you can still get a case for it and it will be very easy to carry and store your instrument. Even though the Hawaiians didn't originally like the sound that ukuleles produced, it is now the most popular instrument in the Hawaiian Islands and is easier for you to own now more than ever. The early Hawaiians knew the ukulele would never fit into their chants and drumming of their native music. They were wrong.

Buying a Ukulele - Things to Consider

Buying a ukulele, particularly for beginners, can be a bewildering experience. Despite being much smaller, there is a much greater variety in ukuleles than there is in guitars. This article will guide you through the choices you'll have to make.

The Size

Ukuleles come in four main sizes. From smallest to largest, these are: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. There are also other sizes such as super-concert (between tenor and concert) and the absolutely tiny sopranino.

The best choice for beginners is probably the soprano. It is the standard ukulele size and gives the sound most associated with the ukulele. It's size means that it is well suited to playing chords. Also, the cheapest ukuleles are almost always soprano ukuleles.

The tenor ukulele gives much more room for your fingers to move, making it more suitable for solo playing. It is the size most often used by professionals such as Jake Shimabukuro.

The concert is a compromise between these two - giving the advantages of both - and is my favourite size of ukulele.

Baritone ukuleles are much closer to guitars than they are to ukuleles. The producer a much deeper sound and are tuned like the top four strings of a guitar. As such, they tend to be preferred by guitar players and people wanting to move on to the guitar later.

The Price

Ukuleles can be bought very cheaply (less than $20). These very cheap instruments are not great quality, but they are a lot of fun. If you are serious about playing the uke, it's well worth spending an extra few dollars for that first step up in quality. Makala and Lanakai are two brands which make good budget ukuleles.

If money is no object, having your ukulele made by a luthier is the best option. An experienced luthier will be able to guide you through the process and help you discover the elements that will suit your style of playing.

The Brand

There are a huge number of brands around. Modern makes such as Kala and KoAloha, vintage brands such as Martin and long standing makes such as Kamaka. Each brand has its own acolytes and detractors. Reading around on the net will give you a good idea of how well respected a brand is.

You might want to consider where a ukulele is made. The world's most respected brands tend to be made in Hawaii. Brands like KoAloha make ukuleles in Hawaii in a factory of skilled makers which offer regular tours. Today, most ukuleles are made in China to keep costs down and tend to be lower quality. As a compromise, some brands are made in China but finished in the US.

Which ever ukulele you choose, you're sure to have a great time playing it.

The Ukulele - A Traditional Hawaiian String Instrument

The ukulele, or uke, is a Hawaiian stringed instrument. This instrument was developed in the late nineteenth century in Hawaii, and was based on a small instrument similar to a guitar brought to the islands by immigrants from Portugal. In particular, three cabinet makers are credited as the inventors of the first ukulele. The Portuguese immigrants were known to play folk songs on the dock, where native Hawaiians were impressed not only by the sweet sounds of the instrument, but also the fast fingers of the players. Roughly translated, the name "ukulele" means "jumping flea," a reference to the action of the player's fingers.

The ukulele's quick rise in popularity has been credited in part to the ardent support of the instrument by King David Kalakaua, the last king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Serving from 1874 until 1891, he was in office when the first ukuleles were played in 1879 and 1880, and soon made them an integral pat of royal performances. Several members of the Hawaiian royalty learned how to play this instrument; it also became popular with Hawaiians from all walks of life, including fishermen and taro farmers. Today, the ukelele is often associated with music from the Hawaiian islands due to its use in popular music originating there.

During the early and mid twentieth century, this exotic instrument also gained popularity on the mainland of the United States. This is due in part to the Panama Pacific International Exposition, which took place in San Francisco throughout 1915 and featured a guitar and ukulele band hailing from Hawaii. The popularity of this exhibit at the Expo launched a fad for Hawaiian-themed music on the mainland during the Jazz Age of the 1920s.

This enjoyment of all things Hawaii would continue following World War II and the resulting popularity of tiki culture. The ukulele fit right in with this midcentury fad. From the 1940s through the 1960s, over 9 million inexpensive plastic ukuleles were produced to satisfy the demand from Tiki aficionados. Today, the ukulele can be found in many musical styles around the world. It is particularly popular in Japan.

The ukulele is known as a relatively inexpensive and portable instrument, making it a favorite of amateur players since the 1920s. On the other end of the spectrum, some of the most valuable ukuleles, made from Hawaiian koa wood prized for its tone and attractive coloration, can cost thousands of dollars.

A subset of the guitar family, most ukuleles have four strings. The sounds emanating from a ukelele depends on its size and how it has been constructed. There are four common sizes of this instrument: baritone, tenor, concert, and soprano. The soprano, the smallest uke, is the original size. In Hawaii, it is known as the "standard" ukulele. Although traditional ukuleles have a body shaped like a figure eight, similar to the body of an acoustic guitar, there are also oval ukuleles (sometimes referred to as a 'pineapple' shape), boat paddle shaped bodies, and occasionally square bodies, which are often constructed from a wooden cigar box.

How To Play A Ukulele

If you have been fortunate enough to get a ukulele, either as a gift for yourself or from someone else, you will want to learn how to play the instrument. There are some things that you should know before learning how to play the ukulele.

The first thing you need to do is understand that pluck a ukulele instead of strumming it, like a guitar. You can use a felt pick. You normally use your thumb to pluck the instrument.

A ukulele has four strings, six strings or eight strings, depending on the style. There are many different styles of this instrument as well as shapes. Most of them play the same notes, such as the soprano ukulele which is the original instrument that was introduced in the United States. The baritone ukulele, which was introduced in the 1940s, is slightly different and plays lower notes.

You can learn to play the ukulele as soon as you learn the notes. You are probably better off to start with a four stringed instrument as it will be easier to learn the four notes instead of six. A ukulele is similar to a guitar, but a bit easier to play. You pluck the strings and learn chords, but because the instrument is smaller, there are less chords and fewer strings. This means you can easily start playing once you have learned the notes.

Learning the different notes is not difficult. You can do this online or through a video tutorial. Before you begin, however, make sure that the instrument has been tuned. This can be accomplished by someone who is familiar with tuning a ukulele and who has an ear for music or through the use of an electronic tuner. If you know someone with an electronic tuner, you can borrow it to tune your instrument.

You can use your thumb to pluck the instrument, although it will most likely get calloused after a while. This is why so many people decide to use a pick. Unlike the picks for guitars, ukulele picks are made of felt and are softer.

Once the instrument is tuned, play around with it a bit. Learn how the different notes sound and get what they call an "ear" for music. Some people have this as a natural gift, others can learn this. You can also take a look at some tutorials on the proper way to pluck the instrument, using your thumb and in some cases, your thumb and forefinger.

All of the different types of ukuleles that are on the market are placed the same way, by plucking. If you have been used to strumming a guitar, this may be a bit different for you. But once you have gotten used to the motion, it will be second nature.

Once you are comfortable with holding the instrument, high in your arms, and plucking the strings with your thumb or felt pick, you are able to take lessons and learn how to really play the instrument and make some good music.

6 Sure Ways to Tune Your Soprano Ukulele

There is nothing worse to a tuned ear than the sound of an instrument being played out of tune - in particular any type of ukulele. So one of the most important things you would want to be able to do as a ukulele player is to be able to tune your ukulele perfectly. This article will look at six ways that you can use to tune your soprano ukulele.

Using an Electronic Tuner
For anyone without a good ear and anyone with a good ear this would be the way to go if you want your ukulele to be in perfect tune. Electronic tuners vary in price and functionality but are fantastic to have and very easy to use. There are tuners that produce sounds which you tune your ukulele strings to and ones which show on a screen what note your string is playing after plucking a string. If you had a good ear then tuning to another instrument is another way.

Tuning to Another Instrument
Virtually any tuned instrument such as a guitar, piano, recorder, another ukulele, keyboard etc can be used to tune your ukulele accurately. You just need to know what notes to tune to and have a good ear. The pitch of a string is matched to the pitch of the note played by the other tuned instrument. If you haven't got access to another instrument try tuning the ukulele to itself.

Tuning the Ukulele to Itself-Relative Tuning
If you just want to play on your own without worrying about being in tune with someone else you can tune your ukulele to itself, often referred to as relative tuning. Relative tuning of your ukulele means you are using one of the strings to tune the other strings of the ukulele. Once mastered it is really easy to do. If this doesn't work for you try tuning online.

Tuning the Ukulele Online
Tuning online is a breeze. There are many online tuners out there on the internet to choose from. Online tuners can also be downloaded so that they can easily and quickly be accessed. An online tuner is quite unique because you can see and hear notes as they are being played. Just click on the note for the string you want to tune and then tune the tuning keys on your ukulele to match the sounds of the string notes to the pitches of the notes that are being played by the online tuner. It's that simple! Another way is to use a CD or DVD which normally comes in a commercially produced instructional package.

Tuning to a CD
Many instructional tutor books come with a CD or DVD which without fail have the notes of each string being plucked so you can easily tune your ukulele. The CD/DVD unusually also includes supporting examples of the exercises and tunes found in the instructional manual which is a bonus. These are excellent too. With the advent of You Tube, information about ukulele tuning is easily obtainable.

Using YouTube
By going to You Tube, free online instructions for tuning your ukulele can be found by simply typing in an appropriate keyword into the search box. A variety of ukulele enthusiasts can be found there explaining the finer points of tuning a ukulele. These are excellent and well worth investigating.

The Cordoba Brand Ukulele

The Cordoba brand ukulele line of instruments is designed for the more advanced, even professional, player. For those who are looking for a second instrument that they won't have to upgrade to accommodate their increases in skill, this line provides several options. These instruments are designed to be concert-quality and, to that end, they require the level of care demanded by any quality instrument. They are durable and long-lasting, like any well-made instrument. This company was founded in 1997 and has a good reputation with advanced players of the ukulele.

The characteristics of more high-end instruments are apparent in any Cordoba brand ukulele. The woods used generally include koa, one of the traditional materials for manufacturing these instruments. The back and sides of the instruments are generally made of mahogany, a preferred wood among instrument builders for hundreds of years. These materials are all combined in a durable instrument that offers good tone and playability. The instruments manufactured by this company encompass the full range of ukulele voices, from soprano to baritone, making them diverse enough for the professional player in their offerings. Some of them have other modifications preferred by players who take their instruments seriously.

Models such as the 25TK-CE Cordoba brand ukulele have cutaways on the body. This body design has been popular for guitars for many years-stylized cutaways are usually among the most distinctive features of electric guitars-and they add a lot to any instrument so designed. The cutaway allows the performer to reach the uppermost frets while keeping their hand in a suitable position for sounding clear tones. It also reduces hand fatigue by ensuring that one need not stretch very long distances to reach the last frets. In modern compositions, higher notes tend to be more heavily-used, making this a necessity for serious performers.

One should always purchase a case with an instrument of the caliber of a Cordoba brand ukulele. The case, of course, protects the instrument in transit but also provides an easily-controlled environment for the ukulele. This is imperative to preserving the integrity of the instrument. Wood is very much affected by temperature and humidity and a case allows the owner to keep their instrument safely stowed in what amounts to a micro-climate, where these variables can be more easily controlled than they may be in a large room. When they're not in a case or being played, a stand should be used to hold these instruments.

Cordoba brand ukuleles, like any high-end brand, can be instruments that last for a lifetime. With proper care and maintenance, these ukuleles will retain their sound and, in many cases, older instruments even improve in their sound over time and with being played. These ukuleles also demand high-quality strings to achieve the best sound and a player shouldn't be shy about purchasing several different brands and seeing which they like the best. These instruments deserve all the high-end accessories, as befits their high standards of construction.

Tenor Ukulele Tuning - A Tips Guide For First-Timers

The tenor ukulele is the 2nd largest of 4 distinct lengths that define the ukulele family: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. The greater the scale length of a uke, the greater the volume and the greater the bass. A tenor uke will have a scale length (the length from the nut to the bridge) of 17" along with an overall length of 26". Although tenor ukes have grown extremely popular, they actually started out being preferred by just a somewhat small number of skilled players, such as Jake Shimabukuro.

This has now changed, with the tenor ukulele becoming a popular choice for novices. I wanted to create this short article in order to reply to a common question associated with the way to tune a tenor uke, which can be a tad confusing at the beginning, seeing as there are 3 ways to tune one: gc'e'a' (re-entrant c-tuning), g'c'e'a' (low-G tuning), or d'gbe' (re-entrant D tuning).

First off, let's start using the standard method: Re- Entrant C-Tuning.

Your G string needs to be higher than the C and E strings.

Your C is exactly like the middle C of a piano.

Your 4th fret of the C string is the same as the open E string.

Our 3rd fret of the E string is equivalent to the un-fretted G string.

Your 5th fret of the E string is going to be exactly like the open A string.

Second, the Low G tuning, which is over time becoming a very popular approach to tune the tenor ukulele, possibly as it more closely resembles a guitar. I prefer to tune mine using this method for solo performing, since you are able to create a bass accompaniment. To implement this tuning, just simply go through the above process, with the exception that the G string has to be tuned lower than the C string.

Finally, the least common is re-entrant D tuning - a somewhat new technique. You are going to want some non-standard strings so that you can make use of this tuning. This is also much like a guitar, but with the D string tuned higher.

Curious about how to decide upon which way to tune for your style of play? This is an effective general guideline:

Strummers - re-entrant C

Solo playing - low G

One example of exactly how I would tune a tenor ukulele to low G (g'c'e'a') is as follows:-

Hold down the second string (from the top) at the 4th fret, and pick it alternating with your open string underneath it. Tune this open 3rd string to sound the same as fretted one above it.

Then, hold down your third string (from top) at the 5th fret, and then tune the string beneath it so they sound the same.

Finally, tune your top string by simply holding it down on the 2nd fret, and tuning it in order to sound like your bottom string.

Have fun.