Ukulele vs. Guitar

Janvi Arora

26 July, 2024
10 min read

With so many different instruments available, it gets extremely confusing to decide, “Which instrument is the best for me?” Whereas there is no definite answer to that question, there are multiple factors that you can look into before deciding which instrument to go ahead with.

With the growing popularity of stringed instruments and their aesthetic appeal, many people resort to guitars or ukuleles and often get confused about which is ‘the perfect match’ for them! Many people think that guitars are a top choice amongst many players due to their popularity in most cultures, but ukuleles have also grown in popularity in recent years.

This confusion leads to people juggling the dilemma of learning the ukulele vs. the guitar. In this blog, we will dive into the world of string instruments and explore the factors that will help you solve the ongoing ukulele vs. guitar debate in your mind.

What is a Ukulele?

A ukulele is a 4-string instrument that looks like a younger sibling of a guitar. The history of the ukulele dates back to the 1880s when a Portuguese sailor brought a uke-like stringed instrument to Hawaii. Since then, ukuleles are thought to have an association with Hawaii, with the literal translation of the instrument being ‘the gift that came here’ in Hawaii.

The instrument saw a massive rise in popularity in the mid-1990s when The Beatles stars George Harrison and Paul McCartney called themselves ukulele fans. George Harrison has been especially influential in spreading the word, as he once mentioned, ‘Everyone should have and play a uke; it is so simple to carry with you and it is one instrument you can’t play and not laugh at. I love them – the more, the merrier!’

What is a Guitar?

The guitar is a 6-string instrument (some new models have even more!) that is the backbone of any rock band. The first guitars were invented in Spain during the 15th century, and since then, the instrument has evolved a lot. The guitar comes in many sizes and variations. Surprisingly, the biggest guitar to exist is known to be 13 meters long, which is about 43 feet, and is fully functional! How astonishing is that?! On the other hand, the shortest one is just 10 microns, which is the size of a single human cell! Sounds unbelievable, right?

Ukulele vs. Guitar: Differences Between Guitar and Ukulele

Now, let’s discuss how these two instruments, which look much like each other, differ in functionality. If you’re struggling to decide which instrument to go for, the following differences between guitar and ukulele will help you make an informed decision on whether to learn to play the ukulele or the guitar. However, you can also learn both instruments since it is easier to shift to one if you already know how to play the other.

The ukulele is smaller and lighter than the guitar, making it incredibly portable and user-friendly for musicians of all ages. On the other hand, guitars, with their larger size, provide a broader range of notes and a richer depth of sound.

Below, you can see a detailed comparison between the ukulele and the guitar.

Ukulele vs. Guitar: Physical Characteristics

Ukulele	Guitar
Ukuleles are smaller than guitars, making them ideal for people with smaller hands or kids. The size ranges from 11 to 21 inches.	Guitars are bigger and more convenient for people with big hands or for those who can stretch their fingers to a large extent. The size of regular guitars can go up to 40 inches.
Ukuleles have a narrow neck.	Guitars have a wider neck.
The nylon strings of the ukulele can be easily pressed. Additionally, there are just 4 strings on the ukulele, making it more manageable and handy.	The guitar commonly has steel or nickel-plated strings, which cause discomfort to players. There are 6 strings in the guitar, making it slightly more complicated to play than the ukulele.
Ukuleles are significantly lighter than the guitar.	Guitars, being almost double the size of a ukulele, are slightly heavy. One should consider this point before deciding which instrument to learn: the ukulele or the guitar.

Ukulele vs. guitar- physical differences

Ukulele vs. Guitar: Playing Technique and Chord Structures

Ukulele	Guitar
The strings on a ukulele go in the order GCEA and are positioned for tuning from high to low.	The guitar strings follow the order EADGBE and are positioned for tuning from low to high.
Playing chords on a ukulele is easier and requires fewer fingers.	Playing chords on a guitar is slightly more difficult due to the greater number of strings, requiring more fingers. However, hands-on practice and expert guidance can ease the process for you.
Strumming requires less force and is easier due to the soft nylon strings. However, the strumming doesn’t create a louder sound.	Strumming on the guitar requires a lot of practice to get used to the steel strings. However, it sounds louder and fuller due to the steel strings.

Ukulele vs. guitar- difference in playing technique

Ukulele vs. Guitar: Fretboard and Scale Length Differences

Ukulele	Guitar
A ukulele’s fretboard has 12-15 frets with a 2-octave range.	A guitar has 18-20 frets that can play a range of up to 3 octaves.
Most ukuleles’ scale length (the length of vibrating strings) is around 33 cm.	The guitar, being a bigger instrument, commonly has a scale length of around 61-66 cm.

Due to more frets and a higher scale length of the guitar, we can play a range of chords, notes, and scales on guitars compared to ukuleles. It is one of the most crucial differences between the ukulele and the guitar.

Ukulele vs. guitar- difference in fretboard and scale length

Ukulele vs. Guitar: Musical Styles and Genres

Ukulele	Guitar
Ukuleles offer a limited range of musical styles due to their compact size.	Guitars are more versatile as they can play a broad range of music styles.
Ukuleles can be played for country, soul, jazz, and folk music.	Guitars can be adapted for many genres, including rock, funk, jazz, and blues.

Ukulele vs. Guitar: Portability and Convenience

Ukulele	Guitar
A ukulele, almost half the size of a guitar, is undoubtedly easier to carry around, making it an ideal instrument for picnics, beach plans, or hanging out with friends. Its small size and lightweight aid portability significantly.	Not that you can’t carry a guitar, but it is comparatively less convenient in terms of portability. Its huge size and heavy weight make it slightly difficult to take to faraway places.

Ukulele vs. guitar- difference in portability

Ukulele vs. Guitar: Sound Characteristics

Ukulele	Guitar
Ukuleles offer a distinctive sound but don’t have much scope for variety.	Guitars can reach much lower tones than a ukulele because it has a much better range.
Ukuleles project a very gentle and light sound.	Guitars project a loud and broad sound.
Ukuleles produce a very warm and soft tone.	Guitars produce a bright and rich tone.
Ukuleles produce sounds that may lack depth.	Guitars produce a resonant and fuller sound, which is a massive reason for their widespread appeal.

Ukulele vs. Guitar: Cost Considerations

Ukulele	Guitar
Compared to guitars, ukuleles of even top quality are cheaper to purchase. Their affordability accounts for a big reason why beginners are attracted to this instrument.	Guitars are relatively more expensive than ukuleles. However, you can get a cheaper one or buy a second-hand guitar if pricing is a crucial factor.

Ukulele vs. Guitar: Community and Resources

Ukulele	Guitar
The ukulele community is lively and unique in its way but is relatively smaller compared to the guitar community. Ukulele enthusiasts often gather in small numbers at clubs, festivals, and parties to share the joy of music, exchange ideas, and celebrate their love for the instrument.	The guitar community is vast and diverse, with artists, hobbyists, learners, and professional musicians globally. There are several online platforms and offline gatherings where guitarists share their experiences and tips and collaborate on projects.
With the rise in popularity, the number of platforms providing music education for ukuleles is increasing steadily. Several platforms now provide learning materials like online tutorials, video lessons, song lessons, instructional books, etc., to make learning ukuleles feasible for many.	There are a plethora of online platforms providing supreme education for guitar. The online resources include books, video lessons for intricate techniques (some are even free!), song lessons, music sheets, etc. In this day and age, anyone willing to learn guitar can find the best knowledge and platforms.

Similarities between Ukulele and Guitar

The ukulele and the guitar are both string instruments that work on the principle of natural amplification, meaning the sound comes when the strings vibrate over the body of the instrument.
Another similarity is that both instruments have a similar body, encompassing a neck and a fretboard.
Both produce sound by strumming and plucking the strings and use accessories like a pick, tuner, and capo.
Both can play multiple genres, including pop, jazz, rock, etc.
Lastly, both the ukulele and the guitar can play chords and melodies. So, you can choose either of the two instruments—a guitar or a ukulele—and still be a skilled musician with tremendous growth potential.

Conclusion

So, according to you, what is the verdict of this ever-going debate: ukulele vs. guitar?
Our conclusion is:

Both instruments have a distinctive appeal and are equally enjoyable to play and listen to.
The instrument you decide to learn should depend on your preferences and goals.
Someone who wants to master a variety of genres and play a range of songs can choose to learn guitar.
On the other hand, someone who wants to play sweet and simple sounds anywhere on the go can opt for an instrument like the ukulele.
Additionally, if you have small hands and find holding a guitar difficult, the ukulele can be your best friend! The ukulele is an extremely comfortable instrument you can play in most settings, courtesy of its low volume.
On the contrary, the guitar allows you to explore diverse musical realms with intricate fingerpicking and complex solos.

So, there are multiple factors that you can consider, which we have discussed today, to find your ultimate tune buddy and start strumming all the way!
If you wish to embark on a musical journey, don’t hesitate to take advantage of Torrins‘ free lessons today. If you like the approach of our free guitar lessons, you can become a member and access thousands of video lessons, song lessons, and other super cool features to learn guitar (Guitar Lessons), piano (Piano Lessons), or bass (Bass Lessons). Stay tuned for upcoming instruments!
Enjoy the musical magic at Torrins!

Frequently Asked Questions

Both instruments have their advantages; therefore, none can be considered better than the other. Ukulele, being smaller in size, is a good choice for absolute beginners or kids and has a smoother learning curve. On the other hand, guitars are more versatile as they can play a broad range of music styles. Ukuleles produce a soft and light sound, while guitars produce a loud and fuller sound.

If you put a capo on the fifth fret of your guitar and remove the lowest two strings, your guitar will sound like a ukulele. That’s how simple it is. The open notes will be the same now- A-E-C-G.

You can learn either of the two instruments depending on your preferences and goals. However, if you aim to learn both, starting with the ukulele may be advantageous due to its beginner-friendly nature and smoother learning curve. Once you've mastered the basics of the ukulele, you can progress to the guitar to explore a wide range of genres and styles.

The two instruments share many similarities in terms of chord structures and playing techniques, but there are variations in size, sound, and tuning. Therefore, transitioning from one to the other may require adjustments, but basic playing techniques such as strumming and fingerpicking apply to both.

There’s no strict rule, but it may be advantageous for some kids to begin with the ukulele before the guitar because of the small size of the ukulele. Fewer strings, lighter weight, and a smaller scale length are some features that make the ukulele a better choice for kids.