Which Size Ukulele?
RatingsThere are four main sizes of ukulele. From smallest to largest, they are:
Soprano
Concert
Tenor
Baritone
What's the best size ukulele?
It depends what you want to do with it. If you like to play a lot of solo pieces, a tenor ukulele will give you more room to play and more volume.
If you're buying your first ukulele, the soprano is the best place to start. Before too long, you'll probably have one of each.
How is the size determined?
The size of the ukulele is not determined by how big it is, as such. It depends on the length of the vibrating part of the string - between the bridge and the net - also known as the scale length.
Soprano - 14 inches (and under)
Concert - 14 1/2 to 16 inches
Tenor - 16 to 18 inches
Baritone - 18 inches (and over)
These aren't set in stone. Some companies, just to confuse things further, classify their ukes differently.
There are also some other, much less common sizes:
Sopranino
Super-Soprano
Super-Concert
Super-Tenor
11 Comments
My son is 8. I’ve been self teaching myself Mandolin for a year now and he’s started picking it up himself. He can pluck out a few tunes on his own now with not much help from me. I’d like to get him is own stringed instrument to start learning on. I thought he Ukulele would be a great place to start. I was told that if it would be best to start him on a baritone Uke because that would easily translate to the guitar later on. What are you’re thoughts on this. I was thinking of just getting him a Kala Concert or Tenor. What might the differences be and should I even be wondering about his now? Maybe the best place to start is the beginning and get him a Soprano? Any insight you have would be great. I’ll be learning right along with him so something easy would be nice! Oh, and just for more clarification, I do read music, but am better at just playing by ear. I figured out the tab system and it’s how I’ve learned the Mandolin and it’s worked fairly well. (I’ve also had over 10+ years of piano/clarinet and have always been musically inclined.)
I’m thinking of buying a uke too, my friend got one the other week, and we’re going to try and learn to play it together, so I wanted to get one of my own.
Originally I was just going to get a soprano, but now I’m tempted by a tenor or concert, just because they’re bigger in size, and might be easier for me to play, as I’m roughly 6’3” and found it a bit tricky on the soprano at times. The thing is tenors are a lot more expensive than sopranos. What would you recommend? I kind of think that I should just save my money and buy a soprano for now whilst I’m still learning, then move onto a tenor when I’m a bit better, but at the same time I’m also thinking that learning might be easier if I start on a bigger instrument…
Hey you forget to talk about the bass ukulele. I have heard “Stand by me” playing by a bass and a tenor (I think it was a tenor but I am not sure). Of course, it’s still a bass and it is made to play bass part (so maybe not an instrument to play while singing) but it was looking fun anyway.
I have now a fender tenor uke and I am very satisfied of it. I also have a soprano but it is a very cheap instrument and since I have my tenor I forget it. I plan to buy a concert and maybe later a baryton. As you said I will probably end by having a copy of every size cause I really like ukulele…
for thous of you who are buying your first uku; I’d suggest using a tenor. it has good round sound to it(not to high not to low, but can hit the notes most songs need fairly easy.) my opinion is that it has a really nice sound even if you are just playing around and not trying to make music. for younger/ smaller players you might want a soprano because your size matters just a little.(for instance if you cant handle it right because of the size you should buy for best comfort of holding an playing.)
Make sure to buy them in the 35-90 dollar range, and test them out before you buy them! nothing is more irritating then having a poorly built Uku. i had a friend buy one for 20 bucks, it looked ok but it could never be tuned for more then 5 minutes at a time… it was very appalling. if you buy them online make sure to go to a place that has many brands and has review section for each product. buyers beware, its important to look at brands.
i hope this helped some
I am also looking to buy either a Concert or Tenor when I get better at playing. I bought a Soprano (cheap one at 30$) to learn and I find it a bit too small. Being 6’2”, and having large hands, it makes certain chords hard to do. Keep in mind I am an extreme novice and a lot of this discomfort might have to do with me not being used to it. I am still at the “OMG my fingers hurt” phase. But I find myself constantly trying to reposition the instrument. Overall I am a huge fan of the Uke and I love it’s sound.
I have been playing guitar and several other stringed instruments for about 10 years now. I am a soprano singer and was interested in getting a ukulele that would work well with my voice. I was thinking of a concert because it seems to be the loudest. I would technically be a beginner on the instrument. Any thoughts as to the size/voice/brand of instrument I should get? My budget is around $50-100. Thanks!
Okay, i play guitar but im no pro. But i do have a natural talent for it. And im looking to buy a uke. I’ve read that a Lanikai LU-21C is a good one and i’ve read some good reviews from random shoppers. Im wondering if a concert would be a good one for me? i have normal size hands but longer fingers. and what type of wood would be the best? And what are some trust worthy online stores to buy from?
my name is lucas, i’m brazilian and a want to buy a ukulele. what size would be bether for me?it’s my first ukulele.
Hi, I am an italian middle aged who used to play guitar, 5 strings banjo and bouzouki, and I’d like to try the ukelele, I am also a father of two boys of 7 and 11, so I wonder what kind of uke size would be the best, giving the fact the I would also introduce my sons to it?
Hey, Im getting my first (concerto) ukulele because I love the Billionare song and hope that I will be able to play it by my own with my ukulele. However, there are things that I’d like to know:
1. the most useful strumming pattern
2. chord chaging methods
Im sincerely hoping for your help. thanks!
What kind to buy? I’ve been struggling with that for a coupla month (still a novice player) but this is what my research seems to boil down to:
Experienced guitar player? Buy a baritone. Tuned like 4 strings of the guitar, so your skill will transfer somewhat.
Big guy? Tenor or concert. More space for your fingers on the frets. And bigger sound, if that matters to you.
None of the above? Soprano. “Peanut” shape (mini-guitar) or pineapple (often more resonant due to the shape). Very popular size, sounds great, wide range of quality and price…
Brand? The bulk of my reading suggested Lanikai for beginners. That was my first one and I love it. I still need a cheapo uke that I can take to the beach without worrying about it but 2 ukes in 2 months is enough for now.
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