Two things I frequently see on social media is the question, "what size ‘ukulele should I buy?" and new learners who have purchased a soprano due to the perception of it being the starter size. But is the soprano the best size for a beginner? I would answer, “it could be.” Some say it is for kids or depends on the size of a person's hands. However, there are many people, including myself, who play a soprano-sized ‘ukulele. So, let us talk size.
The many shapes and sizes of the 'ukulele.
Photo by Jen Negrete
‘Ukuleles (or sometimes called ukes) come in different shapes and sizes; traditionally, there are four (soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone). The average ‘ukulele sizes are:
· Soprano: 21 inches
· Concert: 23 inches
· Tenor: 26 inches
· Baritone: 30 inches
For this blog, I will focus on ‘ukuleles that are traditionally tuned as g-C-E-A, which does not include the baritone that is tuned in D-G-B-E. You may discover the uke is not one-size-fits-all and each size has its individual sound (or as I like to call it, voice).
Small and convenient.
The soprano is the smallest in size, and some describe it as plinky or jangly. I have found this to be true with certain sopranos. However, others can be just as loud and full sounding as their counterparts; their voice is simply higher in pitch. Because of its size, the soprano is the most portable and convenient for travel. During a flight last year, I was able to fit my soprano perfectly under the seat in front of me along with my carry-on bag.
Size comparison between the soprano (left) and concert (right) 'ukuleles.
Photo by Jen Negrete
Not too big and not too small.
Concert-sized ‘ukuleles are the next size up from the soprano. This size uke gives extra room for fingers on its fretboard. It also produces more volume due to its larger resonating body, and tonally, it still gives the traditional ‘ukulele sound. Concert ukes sometimes have up to 20 frets, which is beneficial to play higher notes. This ‘ukulele is also portable and good for travel since it is only two inches longer than the soprano. If you decide to travel by air, you will more likely need to place the instrument in an overhead bin, so I highly recommend investing in a hard case.
Size comparison between the concert (left) and tenor (right) 'ukuleles.
Photo by Jen Negrete
The multifaceted tenor.
The tenor, which is only 3 inches longer than a concert, gives you a tone and sound that is much fuller than the soprano and concert 'ukuleles. This is due to its body size. Like the concert, it has more frets (15+) that allows you to play higher notes and gives you plenty of finger space with its wider fretboard. In my opinion, the tenor is the most versatile of the three. It can be tuned in the traditional high g, switched to a low G, or completely have its tuning changed by replacing the g-C-E-A strings with baby Baritone strings (D-G-B-E). Tenor ukes are portable for travel; however, like the concert, it would need to go in the overhead bin during air travel and need a protective case.
Size comparison between the soprano (left), concert (center), and tenor (right) 'ukuleles.
Photo by Jen Negrete
So, what's the answer???
My first ‘ukulele was a tenor. It was not because of the instrument size but the timbre. Six months later, I bought a soprano and found myself playing it more than the tenor. Afterward, I began switching between the two instruments, depending on the song I was playing. Each uke creates a unique experience, has its own voice, and feels different in your hands. So, what size ‘ukulele should you buy? To answer the question, I recommend trying out the different sizes and discovering which ‘ukulele feels best to you and fits your lifestyle.
Do you have a favorite uke size that you prefer over another? I would love to hear your thoughts. Please drop a comment down below.