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The ukulele, petite yet powerful in its melodious charm, has embarked on a glorious journey of resurgent fame in recent times. Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone, these names of popular ukulele varieties might ring a bell. Their unique melodies and contrasting sizes are a joy to explore.
But there are more types of ukuleles that have yet to be discovered by newer players. Which type of ukulele is best for you depends on your preferences. It hinges on personal taste, maybe you’ll find kinship with the compact Soprano, or perhaps the bold Tenor will resonate more.
Ready to embark on a ukulele odyssey? We’re touring through varied types of this delightful instrument, each with its own sound texture and stature. You’ll gain newfound insight into picking the right ukulele for you and how to snag one.
Types of Ukuleles
Thanks to an explosion of manufacturers fuelled by the instrument’s booming popularity, the range of choices has ballooned like never before. Each piece carves out its own sonic niche. Here’s a detailed foray into the ukulele cosmos, and boy, it’s expansive!
Standard Ukuleles
Soprano
The Soprano’s petite frame is about 21 inches and is instrumental in its portability, one of its primary allure. Tuned to the key of C, its affordable price makes it a hit among budget-conscious folks.
A word of caution though, its compact size might pose challenges for those blessed with larger hands. The Concert Ukulele could be a better fit for them. Soprano is an embodiment of traditional ukulele charm, it’s the first thing that springs to mind when one thinks of a uke.
Concert
The Concert ukulele, larger than the Soprano, usually stretches to about 23 inches. Also tuned to C, it offers a richer, fuller sound, making it apt for intricate melodies and chords.
If volume is a concern, the Concert model cranks it up a notch compared to the Soprano. Its larger size also makes it more accommodating for individuals with larger hands, making it a great starting point for newbies.
Do you need a pick to play ukulele? Find out here!
Tenor
Moving up the size ladder, we find the Tenor ukulele. Sharing tuning with the Concert but boasting a 26-inch length, the Tenor’s size could be a blessing for some and a hurdle for others.
If you’re gifted with small hands or shorter fingers, one of the smaller siblings might suit you better. Volume won’t be a concern with this larger-than-life companion, which is often a hit with beginners.
Baritone
The baritone ukulele is the largest. It’s tuned to the key of D and has a length of about 30 inches. The large size and lower tuning of this type give it a very warm and loud tone, which puts it in a category of its own.
It’s a very fun instrument to play, but does present a tougher learning curve due to the size and tuning. This type is not suggested for beginners as a result. We suggest the tenor or concert ukuleles instead when getting started.
Which are the best Ukulele brands? Click here to find out!
Bass Ukulele
Introducing the majestic bass ukulele! The heavyweight of its kind, boasting the lowest notes in the uke family. Picture the resonant chords of a standard bass guitar, mirroring its E-A-D-G tuning.
This formidable ukulele serenades us with a sound that’s sumptuous and vibrant, just the ticket for anchoring deep melodies.
Roll back to 2009, when Kala, a renowned ukulele maker, first cast this novelty onto the market. Picture a bass guitar shrunk down to the size of a baritone ukulele.
Its strings, thick and somewhat slack due to the shorter scale length, might even feel a touch wobbly under your fingertips.
The Kala U-Bass is by far the more popular model. It comes in an array of woods to tickle your aesthetic fancy: mahogany, maple, spruce. Even its color options have variety, from sable hues to lighter tones. Rest assured, there’s a U-Bass out there that speaks your style.
Read our article, Is ukulele easier than guitar?
Guitalele
Guitalele or ukulele guitar is similar to a classical acoustic. But it’s slightly smaller and has a higher pitch. It can be tuned like a guitar with six strings. But has an arrangement of A-D-G-C-E-A. This is the equivalent timbre of having a guitar with a capo on the fifth fret. The pitch, thus, is higher.
This makes the guitalele very versatile, as it can be used for both guitar and ukulele songs. The guitalele is a great choice for travel, as it’s small and lightweight but still has a full, rich sound. It’s also a great choice for children, as the smaller size and higher pitch make it easier to play.
The strings are made of nylon. This is much softer sounding and resembles a classical acoustic guitar. So if you can play the guitar, then this is a great hybrid to pick up if you are interested in the ukulele.
Take a look at all the different ukulele sizes here!
Solid Body Electric Ukulele
The electric ukulele is a fairly new invention, first appearing on the market in the early 2000s. These ukes are designed to be played through an amplifier. This gives them a much louder sound than acoustic ukuleles. Electric ukuleles are available in both soprano and concert sizes.
They have a solid wood body, which means they don’t make much sound unless plugged into an amplifier. They also come with either nylon or steel strings, so this will also determine their volume and sound.
If you want to rock out, the solid-body electric ukulele is a fantastic option. Opt for an acoustic ukulele instead if you want an instrument that can be played without amplification.
Acoustic-Electric Ukulele
This ukulele, it’s got an extra feature called an “electronic pickup”. Fancy name, but what it really means is, it can take the gentle, happy ukulele tunes and amplify them, making them resonate far and wide. You know, really pump up the volume.
You can hook it up to a loudspeaker for everyone around to enjoy. Even better, it can feed the music right into your computer for recording!
But here’s the most fantastic part! A top-notch acoustic-electric ukulele can do all this amplification without spoiling the ukulele’s original charm.
It preserves the real, natural tone. So when you plug it in, it doesn’t lose its identity. It still sings in the ukulele’s distinctive voice that we’ve all grown fond of. It’s the best of both worlds, really.
Banjolele
The banjolele, also known as the uke-banjo. It’s a four-stringed musical instrument with a banjo-like body and a ukulele-like neck. It was created in the early 1900s and was used by British comedian and musician George Formby. He used it as his signature instrument.
The banjolele is most commonly tuned in GCEA, like a ukulele. But it can also be tuned in other ways, such as DGBE like a guitar, or ADF#B like a mandolin. The instrument typically has an 8-10″ diameter head and 16-18″ scale length with 16 frets.
The banjolele is a brighter-sounding instrument than the ukulele. Primarily due to its metal strings. It has a more jangly, banjo-like sound. It’s a popular choice for ukulele players who want to add a different sound to their repertoire.
Resonator Ukulele
A resonator ukulele is exactly what you think it is. A ukulele that has a resonator attached to the body. This gives the ukulele a louder, fuller sound as the resonator almost acts like a speaker.
These are usually played unplugged. But they can be used with an amplifier for a bigger sound if equipped with electronics. But this is rare and pretty much custom.
Resonator ukuleles are great for players who want something with a bigger sound. They are essentially scaled-down guitars with 4 strings. They are also well suited for genres of music that need a louder ukulele, such as country or bluegrass.
Do you plan on playing unplugged most of the time and need more volume? Then a resonator ukulele is a great option.
Archtop Ukulele
There are many different types of ukuleles, including the archtop uke. As its name suggests, the archtop ukulele has an arched top. This gives it a distinctive appearance. The arched top also helps to improve the ukulele’s sound quality. This is by providing greater resonance.
This is especially popular with jazz music as the tone is more mellow but very rich sounding. The arch top is inspired by the guitar and doesn’t really transfer over to the ukulele well. But it does make a small impact.
Archtop ukuleles are generally more expensive than other types. Yet, they are worth the investment if you are serious about playing this instrument. Especially if you include electronics in the build and design.
Harp Ukulele
The Harp ukulele is a type that has a unique design. It’s somewhat triangular and has strings that run along an arm as well as a neck. This gives the harp ukulele a distinctive sound that is different from other ukes. The harp ukulele is also small, which makes it very portable.
This design is hard to miss! But is also not very common. You might see the harp ukulele in an ensemble or even as a solo instrument. Looking for something different in sound and design? The harp ukulele is definitely worth trying.
8-String Ukulele
Another interesting and unique ukulele is the 8-string version. It’s like a 12-string acoustic guitar, where the extra strings enhance the tone. Each string set is tuned to be an octave apart, except for the E and A.
But there are many ways to tune this ukulele. Experimentation could uncover some great sounds. This is primarily used for strumming, as picking single notes is a bit challenging.
An excellent alternative for those who wish to give their sound additional depth is an 8-string ukulele. Check it out if you’re seeking a ukulele with a distinctive sound that is up for the task.
An 8-string ukulele is a great option for players who want to add more depth to their sound. If you’re looking for a ukulele with a unique sound and are up to the challenge, then check it out!
Other Ukulele Types
There are a few other ukulele types that we didn’t mention above. They are worth considering should you be interested in finding something unique. They include:
- Lap Steel Ukulele.
- Travel.
- 5-String.
- 6-String.
- Tahitian Ukulele.
- Long Neck Ukulele.
Many builders are coming out with new designs due to their increasing popularity. I’m sure you will find some that even we were not aware of.
Conclusion
Unraveling the mystery of picking your first ukulele can be a delightful journey. Embrace the experience of holding and strumming each variant.
Maybe you’ll find yourself drawn to the extra finger room on a tenor ukulele, perfect for ambitious chords. Or perhaps, the iconic, dulcet tones of a soprano ukulele tug at your heartstrings.
