Starting with the Ukulele - A Short Guide For Beginners

For learners who are new to stringed instruments, ukulele is undoubtedly the best choice, which is simple and easy to learn and play. Today we are going to talk about what is a ukulele and how to choose a right one.

Ukulele, also known as Hawaiian ukulele, is a traditional plucked musical instrument invented in Portugal and popular in Hawaii. Ukuleles can be divided into several types according to different shapes, sizes and materials of the body.

According to the shape of ukulele, there are two common types of ukulele, one is guitar type ukulele and the other is pineapple type ukulele. Generally speaking, the resonance of the pineapple type is slightly better with special tone, while the tone of the guitar type is more traditional. However, judging from pratical situations, there is not much differences between the two.

In terms of size, ukulele is generally divided into four types: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. Size and structure will influence the timbre and volume of ukulele.

The 21 inch soprano ukulele is the most common one, its sound transports us to the beaches of Hawaii. The soprano ukulele size is probably what most people image when they think of the ukulele. It is the most common size and it fits the mid-range category and emits a warmer tone and fuller sound.

The 23 inch concert ukulele is larger than the soprano ukulele, with a scale length of around 38.5cm. The extra length allows for more frets with wider spacing between them. It’s the perfect ukulele for players with bigger and wider hands and also for intermediate player who want to have a bigger sound.

The tenor ukulele is once again a bit bigger than the previously mentioned types. It has a scale length of about 43cm, which makes it a little easier to play. The bass is much for  prominent in this type of ukulele and it may sometimes fit external pickups to amplify its sound.

Besides the instruments above we can also find mixed models, which are generally instruments that are in between a ukulele and a guitar or banjo. Some of the most common mixed models are the baritone ukulele and the bass ukulele.

From the perspective of ukulele’s body material, it is recognized that the most suitable material for making ukulele is koa, a rare hardwood species produced in Hawaii. It has a mahogany-like soft sound, but its high frequencies are more prominent than mahogany. Koa has a higher density than mahogany, so the tone is brighter and the low frequency is weaker.

If you want to start a ukulele journey, we would like to provide several suggestions for you on the basis of actual needs. First of all, consider the size of the ukulele, and choose one that suits you according to your body shape. Secondly, considering the tone and material of the ukulele, there are differences in the tone of them under different materials, so it is most necessary to choose a high-quality and cost-effective ukulele at a reasonable price.

The last and most important point is that to choose one that suits you, you need to try it yourself to feel how well each ukulele fits with you. Therefore, Aileen Music welcomes you to visit our offline store at any time. We will show you different models and types of musical instruments for you to choose and experience, and also propose rationality according to your actual demands.