Best Size of Ukulele to Buy – A Guide for Musicians

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So, what’s the best size of ukulele to buy? Buying a ukulele is an exciting experience for any musician. But, the size of the instrument can make or break your performance. Ukuleles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, which can be difficult for new ukulele players to choose the best size for their instrument.

In this post, we’ll cover the different sizes of ukulele, and point out pros and cons of each size. Plus, we’ll offer more advice on how to get the right size for beginners who are just starting out in the world of music.

1. Soprano Ukuleles

best size of ukulele to buy
Image Credit: Kala

Soprano ukuleles are probably the most popular and common size, both for their sound and how they look. They are the smallest of the three main ukulele sizes, usually measuring at about 21 inches in length (approx. 53 cm).

Due to their small size, Sopranos are also among the simplest ukuleles to learn on. They are often used by younger kids who want something easy and portable or by adults with smaller hands.

You can tune them in various ways and have a distinctive sound that is called its own tuning names: “Spanish tuning” (DGBE), “Hawaii tuning” (F#BEAD) or even “English Tuning” (AECC).

A soprano ukulele can make for a great starter instrument, but it also has many professional musicians playing on this size. Therefore, it makes for a good size for both beginners and advanced uke players.

2. Concert Ukuleles

best size of ukulele to buy
Image Credit: Kala

The Concert ukulele was invented in the 1920s and it has a longer scale that delivers louder, fuller sound than your standard Soprano. It usually measures 23 inches (approximately 58 cm) and typically plays in Standard tuning (GCEA).

Many ukulele players find the Concert size to be a more versatile instrument than the Soprano size. A concert ukulele is a larger version of the traditional ukulele. Because of its larger size, it has more frets and a bigger body which creates a warmer sound and allows for more complex melodies.

3. Tenor Ukuleles

best size of ukulele to buy
Image Credit: Kala

Tenors are the largest of the three most popular sizes of ukulele to buy, with a typical size of 26 inches (66 cm) and a scale length of 17 inches (43 cm). Standard tuning is similar in both Sopranos and Concerts (GCEA), but they are known for creating a louder, more resonant sound.

Tenors are the new kids on the block. More and more players, both amateur and professionals, have a tenor in their arsenal these days. If you don’t yet own one, it might be time to think about adding it to your collection.

ALSO READ: Is Ukulele Easy to Learn? Find the Answer in this Post

4. Baritone Ukuleles

Image Credit: Kala

The baritone is the largest instrument in the ukulele family and is known for possessing a deep, mellow tone. To help clarify things, we will divide ukuleles into three categories: baritone, which measure about 30″ inches; soprano, which are the smallest at around 20”; and tenor, measuring around 24” inches in length.

You can tune Baritone ukuleles similarly like the top four strings of a guitar – with an added low D. Although it can be difficult to learn a new ukulele tuning, most people find the transition easier than they originally thought.

What Is the Best Size of Ukulele to Buy for a Beginner?

The best size of ukulele to buy depends on the size and your skill level. Beginners may want to start with a soprano or tenor size, as these are easier for playing chords than baritone size because they have four strings instead of six. However, it is important that you feel comfortable holding whichever size ukulele you choose before purchasing it.

For those who have larger hands, buying an instrument in the Tenor size will be more difficult while a Soprano might fit better if their fingers are small enough.

Professional players should consider getting instruments such as Baritone Ukes which can offer deeper sounds and allow them greater range when using different chord voicings since there are so many more strings.

What Is the Best Size of Ukulele to Buy for a 10 Year Old?

The Soprano is also the best size of ukulele to buy for a 10 year old because it has the right size fit for small to medium hands. It’s also easy to play the soprano ukulele, which is makes it almost suitable for children of all sizes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best size of ukulele to buy should be relative to the size of your hands and what you want out of a instrument. The Soprano might fit better if your fingers are small enough. If you’re a professional player, then choosing a Baritone ukulele is an excellent option to consider.

I hope this post has given you more insights about the right size to choose depending on your skill level. You can also reach out to us through email if you have any questions.

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