Ukulele Buying Guide

Ukulele Sizes: Find Your Perfect Fit

Choosing the right ukulele size depends on your age, hand size, and the sound you're after! Soprano ukuleles are the smallest and have that classic, bright tone—perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a traditional sound. Concert and tenor ukuleles are slightly larger, offering a fuller tone and more fret space, which many adults find comfortable. The largest size, the baritone, has a deeper, guitar-like sound and is ideal for players who want a richer, mellow tone. Stop by Uncle Jon's Music, and we’ll help you find your perfect fit!

Tuning: Soprano, Concert, and Tenor Ukuleles

Soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles all share the same tuning—typically G-C-E-A, with the G string tuned an octave higher for that signature ukulele brightness. This standard tuning means you can switch between these sizes without needing to learn new chord shapes or fingerings. So, whether you’re strumming a soprano, concert, or tenor, all your chords and notes will be in the same familiar places!

Baritone Ukulele: Tuned Like a Guitar

The baritone ukulele is unique, with a different tuning: D-G-B-E, just like the highest four strings of a guitar. This tuning makes the baritone ideal for guitar players, as it uses the same chord shapes and fingerings, making it an easy transition. It’s also a great option for young children planning to move to guitar, as it provides a familiar feel and tuning. Meanwhile, soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles use the same G-C-E-A tuning, so you’ll find identical chord shapes across those three sizes.

Standard Ukuleles Use Guitar Chord Shapes—Just Higher

On soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles, the chord shapes are the same as on a guitar but sound a perfect fourth higher—like playing a guitar with a capo on the fifth fret. For example, a G chord shape on the ukulele matches the sound of a C chord on the guitar’s fifth fret. Guitar players will find the transition to these ukulele sizes easy, with familiar shapes and relationships between chords, just at a brighter pitch—giving the ukulele its distinctive, cheerful sound!

Acoustic-Electric Ukuleles

Acoustic-electric ukuleles come in all sizes, from soprano to baritone, and feature an electronic pickup—often with a built-in tuner. This means they can plug directly into an amplifier or PA system, making them ideal for flexible performance situations where you need a little extra volume or tone control.

Banjo Ukuleles

Banjo ukuleles are a unique mix between a banjo and a ukulele. They have four nylon strings and are tuned just like a standard ukulele, but they feature a banjo-style head that gives them a bright, banjo-like tone. Originally popular with college kids in the 1920s, these ukes are a fun throwback with a distinct sound that stands out!