What is the best ukulele size?

New to ukulele? Or just feeling like a change of style for your current ukulele journey? Either way this guide will tell you everything you need to know when it comes to making the best decision for you when choosing the right size of ukulele to fit your needs. 

“I didn't even know there were different types of ukulele!” Despite its perceived simplicity, the ukulele has many variations, all producing a variety of tones and styles, the main four you will come across when looking for the right one for you are:

• Soprano- 53cm/ 21in long 

• Concert- 58cm/ 23in long

• Tenor- 66cm/ 26in long

• Baritone- 76cm/ 29in long

While there are more sizes than these, the smallest being the Sopranissimo (or pineapple) ukulele at 16” and the largest the Bass ukulele at 32”, these four are the most common in regular playing. 

So what difference does the size make? When ukuleles were first produced they were all typically made in the same standard size, the Soprano. However, as with many other instruments there became a need for different tones and sounds as music changes and develops! Now onto the specifics of uke sizes and what each type really means when it comes to you playing and finding the right size for you!

Soprano: As previously mentioned, the Soprano is the traditional size for a ukulele and therefore the most recognisable when it comes to the sound and look you may picture in your head when you think of a ukulele. This is the perfect size ukulele for beginners as it provides a simple starting point for those looking to get their foot in the door in the world of ukulele playing. They follow a standard G/C/E/A tuning pattern and their small size provides them with a shallower tone than other types of ukulele also making them a good choice for those wanting a textbook ukulele sound. 

Concert: An ideal choice for adults and players with larger hands, the Concert ukulele is the next step up in size from the standard Soprano. With a longer scale it harbours more frets with more space between them, a great combo for those struggling with the small stature of its predecessor. It still provides a standard G/C/E/A tuning pattern and similar light tones to the Soprano but due to the resonance caused by its size increase it produces a louder sound perfect for those who want their music heard. 

Tenor: If you’ve got the hang of your ukulele or are just up for a challenge the Tenor ukulele might just be the choice for you! With its larger size comes the opportunity to achieve more intricate techniques and fingerpicking also making it the go-to ukulele size for many professional players. However you don’t need to be a professional to get one, with its unique sound, almost similar to that of a nylon strung acoustic guitar, you will be able to enhance your ukulele skills while experiencing a whole new sound. Aside from the more advanced capabilities of the Tenor, it still follows the same G/C/E/A tuning pattern and simply provides an all round louder, deeper sound, so if you are wanting a larger instrument with more space this can also be a fantastic choice for you. 

Baritone: If you’re a guitar player and want a change you can still feel familiar with, the Baritone ukulele will make for the perfect opener into ukuleles. The size creates a deeper, bassier tone and it does not follow standard ukulele tuning, instead opting for a D/G/B/E tuning pattern, the same as that of the last four strings of a guitar.Overall it is the perfect bridge between the guitar and ukulele world, allowing for enjoyment for those who enjoy either instrument and want to learn something new.

With this much choice you’re sure to find something you like!