Hello Ukulelians, today we are come with very useful and interesting information about Ukulele sizes and their types. Lots of Beginners ask about the sizes of ukulele. Also they are confuse with Soprano, Concert, Tenor and Baritone. Thats why today we are looking this topic with complete information. Lets begin…
Ukulele Sizes
Ukulele has four standard sizes ie. ‘Soprano‘, ‘Concert‘, ‘Tenor‘ and ‘Baritone‘ start from small to large size (as shown in the picture).
Soprano, Concert and Tenor sizes has the same play and has international tuning call ‘C tuning’, which is tuned GCEA start from fourth string down to first string.
Now string producer start to produce ukulele string the same as GCEA for baritone but still not popular because the charm of ukulele is small in size, not small in sound quality.
1. Soprano Ukulele
The Soprano is standard size of original ukulele which has about 21 inches. Total length and number of standard fret is 12 to 14 frets on fretboard (fingerboard).
Soprano tuning is GCEA. Some ukulele model use soprano sized body but fingerboard is long scale. ie. ‘Ohana SK-30L Longneck’.
2. Concert Ukulele
Concert has a little bigger size. (intermediate size between soprano and tenor). The total length is about 23 inches. Tuning is GCEA and has longer fingerboard with around 14 to 17 frets (sometimes more)
3. Tenor Ukulele
Tenor is larger than concert, the total length is about 26 inches. This tuning is also GCEA but some tuned to gCEA that the 4th string is ‘low G’. Number of fret is about 17 to 19 frets.
Those who play guitar will love tenor size. Because of sound is close to guitar and longer fingerboard that can suitable for playing lead notes and many style of playing.
Famous ukulele virtuoso such as Jake Shimabukuro. Also use tenor size in playing song ‘While my guitar gently weeps‘ and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole or IZ. Use this size to playing song ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow‘. Both musicians are the pioneer of playing ukulele and people around the world fasinate the sound of this instrument.
4. Baritone Ukulele
Baritone is the largest size of ukulele. The total length is about 30 inches and number of fret is about 19 to 21 frets. The baritone tuning is DGBE (same as top four strings on a guitar). it make the holding chord and note differ from other ukulele sizes.
For baritone, tuning sound is different from others, It is tunes the same as top four strings of standard guitar (DGBE tuning) that is when you play baritone chords you will play differ from soprano, concert and tenor. That’s why it is not so popular.
I hope you understand this Ukulele sizes, If any query about this article then comment below. We definitely back to you. Thank you!!!