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Ukulele Information
March 5th, 2009 by kahiwa

Why play a Ukuleleuke-on-table1

Because it’s FUN and it’s easy!

About Ukuleles:

Whilst the term “ukulele” is Hawaiian for “jumping flea” the instrument itself is a hybrid derived from two Portuguese instruments – the braguinha and the cavaquinho.

Affectionately referred to as a “uke”, the ukulele is probably best known through its association with Hawaiian music. 

No-one knows how this hybrid developed but it is generally accepted that a Portuguese traveler arrived in Hawaii with one. The locals were so excited by it they quickly adopted it, and for reasons of their own decided to call it “the jumping flea” which is what “ukulele” means in Hawaiian.

 Types or sizes of Ukulele

uke-sizes4

There are four common ukulele sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. Also, at the extreme ends of the size spectrum are the less common sopranino and bass ukuleles.

 Soprano:

This is the “standard” ukulele. It is also the smallest and the original size ukulele

Concert:

The concert ukulele is slightly larger and louder with a deeper tone. It was developed in the 1920s as an enhanced soprano.

Tenor:

The tenor has more volume and a deeper bass tone. It was developed soon after the concert.

Baritone:

 This is the largest size ukulele created in the 1940s and is like a small, 4-stringed guitar.

 

Type

Scale length 

Total length

Tuning

soprano or standard

13″ (33?cm)

21″ (53?cm)

g’c'e’a’ or a’d'f#’b’

concert

15″ (38?cm)

23″ (58?cm)

g’c'e’a’ or gc’e'a’

tenor

17″ (43?cm)

26″ (66?cm)

gc’e'a’, g’c'e’a', or d’gbe’

baritone

19″ (48?cm)

30″ (76?cm)

dgbe’

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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