Exploring Ukulele Sizes: Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone

This blog is your ukulele size guide and explores the four primary sizes of ukuleles—soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone—each offering distinct characteristics and tonal qualities. The soprano ukulele, being the smallest, delivers a bright and cheerful tone, making it ideal for traditional Hawaiian music and beginners due to its compact size and ease of play. The concert ukulele, slightly larger than the soprano, provides a fuller sound and more fretboard space, catering to those needing more room for finger placement while retaining the characteristic ukulele brightness. The tenor ukulele is favoured by solo performers and those looking for a richer, more resonant tone. Finally, the baritone ukulele, the largest of the four, offers a sound similar to a classical guitar, making it suitable for more complex musical arrangements and players transitioning from guitar to ukulele.

This guide aims to provide an understanding of these sizes, their unique benefits and ideal uses. Whether you’re a beginner selecting your first ukulele or an experienced player considering an upgrade, understanding the differences in size, tone, and playability is crucial. The soprano and concert ukuleles are perfect for beginners and those who enjoy the traditional ukulele sound. In contrast, the tenor and baritone ukuleles cater to advanced players seeking a more versatile and richer sound. By exploring these options, you can determine which size best suits your musical style and preferences, ensuring an informed choice for a fulfilling playing experience.

You can read about how to play the ukulele in 14 easy steps as a complete beginner guide here.

i) What are the Sizes of the Ukulele?

Ukulele Sizes and Ukulele Size Chart

Soprano Ukulele

Size: The soprano ukulele is the smallest and most traditional size, measuring about 21 inches. Scale length, the distance between the nut and the saddle, is approximately 13 inches.

Material: Soprano ukuleles are commonly made from mahogany, koa, maple, and spruce woods. The choice of wood can affect the instrument’s tone and resonance. Some beginner models might be made from laminate wood, while higher-end sopranos are often crafted from solid wood for better sound quality.

Tuning: The standard tuning for a soprano ukulele is G-C-E-A, with the G string often being a high G (re-entrant tuning). This tuning contributes to the soprano’s bright and cheerful sound, perfect for lively, upbeat music.

Concert Ukulele

Size: The concert ukulele is slightly larger than the soprano, measuring about 23 inches with a scale length of around 15 inches. This size offers more room on the fretboard, making it easier for players with larger hands.

Material: Like sopranos, concert ukuleles are made from various woods such as mahogany, koa, spruce, and cedar. The use of solid wood versus laminate also applies, with solid wood providing richer tones and better resonance.

Tuning: The tuning for concert ukuleles is also G-C-E-A, similar to the soprano. However, the slightly larger body of the concert ukulele gives it a fuller, louder sound while retaining the bright, traditional ukulele tone.

Tenor Ukulele

Size: The tenor ukulele measures around 26 inches with a scale length of about 17 inches. This one offers more space on the fretboard and greater volume and depth in sound.

Material: Tenor ukuleles are typically made from high-quality woods such as mahogany, koa, rosewood, and acacia. Solid wood is preferred for its superior sound qualities, though laminate options are available for those on a budget.

Tuning: Standard tuning for the tenor ukulele is G-C-E-A, but it is more common for players to use a low G string to extend the instrument’s lower range. This gives the tenor a deeper, richer sound compared to the ukes in smaller sizes.

Baritone Ukulele

Size: The baritone ukulele is the largest of the four, measuring about 30 inches with a scale length of around 19 inches. This size provides the most spacious fretboard and the deepest, most guitar-like sound.

Material: Baritone ukuleles are made from mahogany, spruce, and rosewood woods. Due to its larger size, the wood choice significantly impacts the instrument’s volume and tonal richness, with solid wood options offering the best sound quality.

Tuning: Unlike the other ukulele sizes, the baritone is typically tuned to D-G-B-E, similar to the highest four strings in a guitar. This tuning gives the baritone a distinct, mellow sound well-suited for more complex, richer musical arrangements.

Each ukulele size offers unique characteristics, making them suitable for different playing styles and preferences. Whether you prefer the bright and lively sound of the soprano or the deep, resonant tones of the baritone, understanding these differences can help you choose the perfect ukulele for your musical journey.

ii) Why are there multiple ukulele sizes?

Multiple ukulele sizes—soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone—cater to different musical preferences, playing styles, and physical requirements. Each size offers distinct sound qualities that influence the type of music played and the overall playing experience. The soprano ukulele, the smallest size, produces a bright and cheerful tone, making it perfect for lively, traditional Hawaiian music and folk songs. The concert ukulele, slightly larger, retains this brightness but adds a fuller, louder sound, providing a versatile option suitable for a range of musical styles. Lastly, the baritone ukulele, the largest size, offers a sound akin to a classical guitar, making it ideal for classical music and fingerstyle playing. This range of sound qualities ensures that there is a ukulele size for every musical genre and personal preference.

The variety in ukulele sizes also accommodates different hand sizes and finger spans, enhancing playability and comfort. Smaller sizes like the soprano and concert are easier for players with smaller hands or beginners. The larger tenor and baritone ukuleles provide more space on the fretboard, making them suitable for players with larger hands or those looking for more room for complex finger placements. Additionally, the different sizes support various tunings, allowing players to experiment with expanded range and depth. The portability of the smaller ukuleles makes them ideal for travel and casual playing, while the larger sizes, though less portable, offer greater comfort for extended playing sessions. This diversity in size, sound, and playability makes the ukulele an accessible and enjoyable instrument for all players, from beginners to professionals, ensuring that everyone can find an instrument that perfectly fits their needs.

Here are the 10 easy ukulele songs for beginners to get started with your ukulele learning.

iii) How to choose the right ukulele Size?

Choosing the right ukulele size involves a thoughtful balance between aesthetics, sound preferences, and budget considerations. Its affordability makes it accessible for those starting their musical journey. Moving up to the concert size provides a fuller sound and slightly more fretboard space, making it a versatile choice for various musical styles while remaining relatively affordable. For those looking for deeper tones and more resonance, the tenor ukulele offers a larger body and richer sound, suitable for solo performances and genres like jazz or blues that require more complexity.

On the other hand, the baritone ukulele stands out with its deep, guitar-like tone, making it perfect for players who appreciate a richer sound akin to a classical guitar. While baritones are typically more expensive due to their size and the materials used, they offer superior sound quality and are well-suited for fingerstyle playing and intricate musical arrangements. When choosing a ukulele size, it’s crucial to consider not only your current playing ability and musical preferences but also your long-term goals and budget constraints. By weighing these factors—such as the visual appeal of the instrument, the type of music you intend to play, and the investment you’re willing to make—you can confidently select the ukulele size that best fits your needs and ensures an enjoyable playing experience for years to come.

iv) Some other ukulele sizes

In addition to the well-known soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone ukulele sizes, several less common variations cater to specific player preferences and musical styles. The pocket ukulele is the smallest option, measuring around 16 inches. Despite its diminutive size, it produces a remarkably bright and high-pitched tone, making it a unique choice for those who prefer a compact instrument with a distinctive sound ideal for melodies and quick playing styles.

The super soprano, also known as the long-neck soprano, maintains the traditional soprano ukulele’s compact body while incorporating a longer neck and increased scale length typically found on concert ukuleles. This design modification provides extra fretboard space without altering the soprano’s signature bright and cheerful sound. It appeals to players who appreciate the smaller size of the soprano but desire more room for finger placement and chord variations, enhancing versatility without sacrificing the classic ukulele tone.

Another less common size, the super tenor, offers a slightly larger body than the standard tenor ukulele, resulting in an even fuller and richer sound profile. This size variation is for musicians seeking maximum volume, resonance, and tonal depth. It’s well-suited for solo performances, ensemble playing, and genres that benefit from a robust ukulele sound, such as jazz, blues, and contemporary styles. These less common ukulele sizes provide additional options for players looking to explore different tonal qualities and playability characteristics beyond the traditional offerings, enriching the diversity and versatility of the ukulele family.

Once you’ve finalised the right ukulele size and purchased one, you can easily transition to playing songs. After all, playing songs is a key part of learning any instrument. While we’re gearing up to launch dedicated ukulele courses on Torrins, our extensive library of over 10,000 guitar, bass, and piano lessons offers a strong foundation for any aspiring musician. Moreover, we have over 1,000 lessons on guitar songs, piano songs, and bass songs, helping you develop your repertoire from the start. Explore Torrins music courses today and unlock your musical potential!