Learning Ukulele with Curt
Common Ukulele Sizes
The `ukulele (/juːkəˈleɪliː/ yoo-kə-LAY-lee, from Hawaiian: ʻukulele [ˈʔukuˈlɛlɛ] (oo-koo-leh-leh); variant: ukelele) is a member of the lute family of instruments. It generally employs four nylon or gut strings or four courses of strings. Some strings may be paired in courses, giving the instrument a total of six or eight strings.
Page Updated:
8 August 2025
8 August 2025
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- Cases & Gigbags • protect that ukulele from nicks and dings.
- Instrument Cables • a good instrument cable really does make a difference.
- Capos • open position chord in other keys.
- Electronic Tuners • Electronic tuners come in two varieties: LED and Strobe..
- Effects Pedals
- Recording Your Ukulele
- Music Notation & Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) Software
- Direct Boxes
- Pre Amps & Pickups
- Acoustic Amplifiers - These are amplifiers specifically optimize for acoustic instruments
A `Ukulele is:
- Light Weight, Portable, and Affordable
- Easy on the Fingers with Four Strings and Four Fingers - a perfect match
- Less Need for Strumming Accuracy
- There isn't a lot expected from a ukulele player
- And, Where else can you go and jam with like minded friends, play poorly, sing poorly, and have a blast.
The music you play can be as simple or complex as you want. The Ukulele is a powerful musical instrument for communication and expression in its own right.
And, did I mention it’s a lot of fun to play and explore.
Common Sizes
Common types of ukuleles include:.
Less common are the sopranino (also called piccolo, bambino, or "pocket uke"),
Bass (uBass) , and contrabass ukuleles. The soprano, often called "standard" in Hawaii, is the smallest and was the original size. The concert size was developed in the 1920s as an enhanced soprano, slightly larger and louder with a deeper tone. Shortly thereafter, the tenor was created, having more volume and deeper bass tone. The baritone ( resembling a smaller tenor guitar ) was created in the 1940s, and the contrabass and bass are recent innovations (2010 and 2014, respectively).
Super Tenors, Long Neck ( insert uke size here )
There's a trend of putting the next sized uke's scale length neck uke on a smaller sized body and call it a
superor
long neckso and so ukulele.
It can also simply be the longer baritone 19in scale length neck on a tenor body for a Super Tenor and using C Tuning.
Soprano
Often called
Standardin Hawaii. This is the size that most people not familiar with the ukulele think of when someone mentions the ukulele.
Standard – this is the size that most people associate a ukulele with is they are not already familiar with the ukulele family of instruments.
- Typical Length: 21 in (530 mm). This is helpful if you need a gigbag or case.
- Scale Length (range): 13 in (330mm), 14in (356mm)
- Number of Frets: 10 to 12
- Common Tunings: G4* C4 E4 A4 (C Tuning)
- Alternate Tunings: G3 C4 E4 A4 (Low G, C Tuning), A4 D4 F♯4 B4 (D Tuning)
- String Tension (approx.): 21 lbs
Here is a Lesson on Selecting a Soprano `Ukulele .
*NOTE: This represents the Name and Octave of the note. Middle C is C4 with the number representing a higher (5,6,7...) or a lower (3 2 1 0 -1...) octave.
Concert
Super Soprano, Alto
This is the next size up from the standard soprano ukulele. The concert size was developed in the 1920s as an enhanced soprano, slightly larger and louder with a deeper tone. Actually created to be louder in un-amplified situations as was typical in the 1920s and 30s. No PA (public address) systems back then.
- Typical Length: 23 in (58 cm). This is helpful if yu need a gigbag or case.
- Scale Length (range): 15in (381mm), 16in (406mm)
- No. Frets: 15 to 18
- Common Tunings: C Tuning G4* C4 E4 A4, D Tuning: A4 D4 F♯4 B4
- Alternate Tunings: C Tuning G4* C4 E4 A ("Low" G), D Tuning: A4 D4 F♯4 B4 ("Low" A)
- String Tension (approx.): 33 lbs
Here is a Lesson on Selecting a Concert `Ukulele .
*NOTE: This represents the Name and Octave of the note. Middle C is C4 with the number representing a higher (5,6,7...) or a lower (3 2 1 0 -1...) octave.
Tenor
Taro patch, Liliʻu, Long Neck Tenor
Created shortly after the concert ukulele was introduced.
- Typical Length: 26 in (66 cm). This is helpful if you need a gigbag or case.
- Scale Length (range): 17in (432mm) to 19in (482mm) for the long neck tenor
- No. Frets: 17–20
- Common Tunings: C Tuning G4* C4 E4 A4 ("High" G), G3 C4 E4 A4 ("Low" G)
- Alternate Tunings: D Tuning: A4 D4 F♯4 B4 ("High" A), A3 D4 F♯4 B4 ("Low" A)
- String Tension (approx.): 40 lbs
Here is a Lesson on Selecting a Tenor `Ukulele .
*NOTE: This represents the Name and Octave of the note. Middle C is C4 with the number representing a higher (5,6,7...) or a lower (3 2 1 0 -1...) octave.
Baritone
Often considered a small guitar as is tuned the same as the thin four strings a standard tuned guitar.
Resembling a smaller tenor guitar was created in the 1940s. Author Godfery's instrument of choice.
- Typical Length: 29 in (74 cm). This is helpful if yu need a gigbag or case.
- Scale Length (range): 19in (482mm), 20in (508mm)
- No. Frets: 18 to 22
- Common Tunings: G Tuning: D3* G3 B3 E4
- Alternate Tunings: C Tuning G4* C4 E4 A4 ("High" G), G3 C4 E4 A4 ("Low" G)
- String Tension (approx.): 52 lbs
Here is a Lesson on Selecting a Baritone `Ukulele .
*NOTE: This represents the Name and Octave of the note. Middle C is C4 with the number representing a higher (5,6,7...) or a lower (3 2 1 0 -1...) octave.
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