Whether you’re looking to learn ukulele yourself OR to gift a ukulele to someone else, this guide is here to aid you in your quest.
I made this guide because I’m occasionally asked for advice re: acquiring new ukuleles, so I figured I’d display what I know on my internet stoop!
LET’S BEGIN!
DISCLAIMER: I have not been sponsored or otherwise endorsed by any of the brands or retailers mentioned in this guide. If any of them want to hook me up with free ukuleles, it is TOO LATE FOR THAT, I am already saturated with ukes. 🙃“I would like detailed & comprehensive info!”
OK, well, that’s not here, but the good news is Musician’s Friend has made a very thorough buyer’s guide detailing everything you’d want to know about ukulele.
“I would like basic info & pretty colors!”
You’ve come to the right place!
I have about a dozen ukuleles at this point so I can tell you what I know!
On with the guide!
There are 4 mainstream sizes of ukulele.
There is no “correct” size / shape to start with, and it’s not uncommon to have a few ukuleles in a couple different sizes & styles – Once you learn the chords on one ukulele, you can play all the ukuleles!
SOPRANO
tuned GCEA, with high-G
“high-G” means the 2nd string (C) is the lowest
GREAT FOR anyone with arms & fingers
CONCERT
just like a Soprano with a longer neck & a few more frets
if the Soprano is a coupe, Concert is the sedan
GREAT FOR anyone who finds the Soprano slightly too small
TENOR
tuned GCEA, often with low-G
larger overall, easier for large hands to make chords
GREAT FOR anyone with big hands, OR anyone weirded out by the high-G tuning of Soprano & Concert
BARITONE
tuned DGBE, it’s almost a guitar (sans the 2 lowest guitar strings)
the musical intervals between string are the same so the same chord shapes work, albeit 4 steps lower
GREAT FOR guitar players & giants
“How much does it cost?, and where from?”
If you are buying your first ukulele new, you should plan to spend between $50–$150 for a comfortable, dependable instrument.
EDIT-19: In These Unprecedented Times™ I can no longer recommend going to your local music shop and trying on every fretboard in the store. But calling your shop & picking up a new ukulele curbside is a great way to support your local shop from a precautionary distance.
I also recommend checking out used inventory in your local music store & online outlets like Reverb – It’s conscientious for your budget & for the planet!
“Even $99 seems like a lot. AFP told me ukuleles only cost $19.95.”
It’s not that much when you consider that ukuleles are musical instruments, and not toys or props. A new student-grade cello costs $450, nevermind a professional-grade cello.
Also if it were me I wouldn’t take ukulele advice OR money advice from AFP.
“So I can order a ukulele from the comfort of my phone?”
EDIT-19: Yes, you most certainly can.
Guitar Center is a national chain that now offers curbside pickup.
Reverb.com offers new & resold gear of all colors and varieties.
Sweetwater also has many great options, and sometimes they include candy in the shipping box.
“But I don’t know how to play any chords.”
Ah yes, the “I can’t learn an instrument without having an instrument” conundrum.
Not to worry! First I’m going to show you how to read a chord chart and then I’m going to teach you chords with it.
Like my Twister / Battleship analogy? I do.So far so good? Great. Here are four important chords — guaranteed to work on any uke!
“So which ukulele should I buy?”
This is maybe not the right thing to say in what’s ostensibly a “ukulele acquisition guide,” but I don’t know, because I’m not you.
All ukuleles take the same chord shapes & are the same general size, but everything beyond that is up in the air. It depends on your budget, your style, your preferred sound, etc.
A lot of the ukulele players surveyed said that the look of their ukulele was as pleasing to them as the sound it made. Some are have snazzy decorations, or interesting shapes; others are au naturale.
Look for a ukulele that suits both your physicality & your personality.
“No but for real, just tell me which ukulele I should buy.”
I can’t tell you that, but I can narrow your choices:
Kala is a nearly omnipresent ukulele brand, and they make ukuleles to fit any budget.
The Magic Fluke Company’s Flea & Fluke models are a little more spendy ($200+) but are stylish & comfortable to play – and often available pre-owned! Check your local marketplace!
Some Winners:
Cordoba Protege
— this JPEG is dedicated to Tom Dyke —“The ukulele is so tiny that I have space left in my shopping cart!”
Dynamite!
Wait no don’t buy dynamite, that was a figure of speech,
why does your music store have dynamite—
🧨💥🙈
I wish I’d thought to make a Family Feud-style illustration of the top 3 accessories that 100 ukulele players recommended. OH WELL guess you’ll just have to read:
1. a gig bag / instrument case
(a zippered carrying bag is often included w/ purchase
2. a clip-on tuner
(a battery-powered gizmo, but you can also find apps that do the same)
3. a reference sheet of ukulele chords
(again, apps can do this, but it is handy to have it printed out & not have to keep your phone awake)