The ukulele continues to be an extremely popular instrument among both beginner and seasoned musicians. This compact string instrument is relatively cheap and easy to get to grips with, even for kids. Needless to say, there's no reason why grown-ups won't also thoroughly enjoy the bright, cheerful sound of a ukulele.
Ukulele Chords: Easy to learn
While the ukulele looks a lot like a guitar, it only has four strings rather than six. This doesn’t just make chords easier to grab, learn and memorise, but the frets sit closer together because the scale length - the distance between the nut and the saddle - is quite short. As such, players don't need long or strong fingers to play a ukulele, making it a great first instrument for any musician-to-be.
Tuning Up a Ukulele
The standard tuning of soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles is G - C - E - A. Most beginners will use a clip-on tuner to tune up their uke: a compact tuning device that can be easily clipped to the headstock of the instrument. Want to know more about ukuleles and learn some alternative tunings? Check out our blog about How to Tune Up a Ukulele.
Soprano, Concert, Tenor & Baritone
Ukuleles can be roughly divided into four 'sizes': soprano, concert, tenor and baritone, of which the soprano and concert ukulele (also referred to as an alto uke) are the most popular. But that's not all: there are also ukuleles that have been fused with other instruments, like the guitarlele. Tuned a little higher, the guitarlele combines the six strings of a guitar with the compact construction of a ukulele.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ukuleles
What's the best ukulele for me?
The perfect ukulele for anyone is a very personal thing, since it depends on your budget, taste and feature-specific preferences. Whichever model you go for, choose one you love the look of because that'll only inspire you to pick it up more often. If welcome, you can find more tips and advice in our Ukulele Buyer's Guide!
What’s the best beginner ukulele?
A lot of beginners opt for a soprano ukulele due to its low cost and compact size. If you have relatively large hands, however, a concert ukulele is the better alternative. Have a look at our Fazley range for a wide assortment of more than reasonably-priced ukuleles in all popular sizes.
How much does a ukulele cost?
The price can vary greatly depending on the construction of the ukulele and the materials used to build it. Better, more expensive materials will result in louder, rich sound, more deluxe looks, improved tuning stability and a higher degree of playing comfort. The cheapest ukes hover around the £20 mark and while these are usually fully-fledged instruments, the £100 price range is a better place to start if you're a more discerning musician.
What size of ukulele should I buy?
The best ukulele dimensions for you depend on multiple things. Soprano ukes are the most popular, but can also be too small for adult players, who might be better off with a concert ukulele - or even a bigger tenor ukulele if their hands are really big. For more in-depth info on ukulele sizes, head over to our What Size Ukulele Should I Buy? blog.
How do you hold a ukulele?
The popular soprano ukulele should be held as if you're cradling a baby in your arms. Larger ukuleles, like concert and tenor models, are held a little lower against the chest. Meanwhile,the instrument is supported by your strumming arm, while the other hand supports the neck as lightly as possible. Since a correct playing posture is extremely important, it's recommended to read our How to Hold Each Size of Ukulele blog.
How do you tune a ukulele?
Soprano and concert ukuleles are tuned in G - C - E - A, which means that the fourth string - the first string you see when you look down - is tuned to a higher pitch than the next string (C). The standard tuning for guitars, on the other hand, goes from low to high in ascending order. The easiest way to tune up your uke is using a chromatic clip-on tuner - feel free to go to our How to Tune a Ukulele blog to learn more about different tunings.
Which ukulele strings do I need?
When you're shopping for fresh ukulele strings, it's important that you pick the right pack for your type of ukulele. When you look at any of the uke strings on our site, you’ll be able to see which strings have been made for which uke, as well as other specifications like string gauge and build material. Have a look at our Ukulele Strings that Are Right for You blog to learn more about string material, gauges and length.
Which ukulele chords do I need to learn?
No matter if you're a complete beginner or an experienced musician, it only takes a handful of chords to be able to play hundreds of songs. The C, F, G, A, A-minor, G-minor and D-minor chords are great for starters and if you want to learn to play them, check out our blogs: Learn to Play Ukulele in 3 Easy Steps! or Ukulele for Guitarists: The Four Most Important Chords.
What kind of musical instrument is a ukulele?
Created by the Portuguese during second half of the 19th century and taken to Hawaii where they quickly became popular among locals, ukuleles are guitar-like string instruments. After Hawaii became a part of the United States, the ukulele travelled state-side and became increasingly popular. Ukes are sometimes confused with other guitar-like string instruments - read our The Difference Between the Ukulele, Mandolin, and Banjo blog to learn more.
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