How To Choose The Ukulele For You

Selecting the right ukulele for you is primarily based on personal preference. Soprano ukuleles are typically the most popular choice because of their small size and low cost. The soprano ukulele is generally a good starting point to learn your way around the fretboard and basic chord positions. However, if you struggle with BFS (Big Finger Syndrome – don’t we all), you might want to consider one of the larger ukuleles, which has a wider fretboard, making it easier to play.

In general, you should take the following factors into consideration when selecting a ukulele:

Appearance: There are so many options out there when it comes to style and colour that you can get overwhelmed. Always remember that as you develop as a player, you will almost certainly want to upgrade your ukulele, so you don’t need a pro model from the outset. As you learn, you will get more of an idea what you desire in your next instrument. Each player will find their own path. At the very beginning, it is probably better to choose an instrument that will inspire you to learn and grow as a musician. So choose an instrument whose appearance is attractive to you – you are going to spend a lot of time looking at it while you learn.

Tone: Ukuleles differ in their sound quality and tone. Playing different ukuleles (if you are able), listening to others play them, watching videos online and reading reviews are great ways to decide what you like before you buy. Just remember that tone is quite subjective, so everyone will have their own preference. Choose what you like the sound of because it is you who will spend the most time listening to it whilst you practice.

Tuning Stability: Probably the most common factor that discourages beginners is the instrument going out of tune too often. All string instruments will go out of tune as they are played but some do it faster than others. There are two principal causes. The instrument itself and the strings it is fitted with. An instrument with good quality geared machine tuning heads will hold tune best but you don’t find these on the lowest price instruments. Good quality strings hold their tune for longer (they stretch less) but these can be added after you purchase a ukulele and are not a deal breaker. Don’t sabotage yourself by buying the cheapest instrument available. They are cheaper for a reason.

Budget: The larger ukulele sizes (tenor, baritone, concert, bass etc,) cost more than soprano ukuleles but do have the advantage of wider fretboards allowing for BFS. More expensive ukuleles will generally be made of solid wood rather than laminate wood. The tone of solid wood generally gets better with age. You will notice that solid wood ukuleles may not necessarily sound better than laminate wood ukuleles when they are new but they ‘mature’ and keep their value better if you intend to upgrade later. There are some laminate body ukuleles with a great tone and appearance, so don’t be put off if you are on a budget.

Laminate-Body Ukuleles: These have a thinner top than solid wood, which causes more vibration and increased sound. Plus, the veneer finish still gives the appeal of a wood grain look with potentially better durability. They are less sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature.

Solid Wood Ukuleles: They are far more expensive than laminate body ukuleles because it takes more material and better craftsmanship. The sound quality improves as the wood ages. Keep in mind that they do require more care and humidification to avoid cracking and warping of the instrument.

Overall: Choosing the right ukulele for you is a personal choice. Beginners may want to select the soprano ukulele, while others may want a larger model because of their features. Compared to most instruments, Ukuleles are relatively low-cost instruments so even if you don’t get it right first time, the mistake won’t be to costly. There truly is no right or wrong choice for a starter ukulele. Keep all of these factors in mind when making your choice, and you will find the ukulele that is perfect for you.