The ukulele is a small, guitar-like instrument with four strings that originates from Hawaii, but over time gained popularity all over the world. It might look like a toy, but it is a renowned and recognized musical instrument that comes in a lot of different varieties too.
Picking the right ukulele might not seem like that big of a deal until you are actually looking for one - they come in different sizes, scales and can be both acoustic and electric. They differ a lot in prices too. So there’s quite a bit of consideration that should go into making that decision.
Below you will find several reviews and guides that will help you pick the right size, brand, and type of ukulele, as well as guide you through tuning and caring for your instrument - all of which are thoroughly researched by our experts. There’s also more information about the history of the ukulele and other interesting information about this little power-pack.
by Marko Jovanovic Last Updated
Ukulele is one of those rare types of musical instruments, which is capable of instantly lighting up the mood in a place.
Couple of chords later and everyone has a smile on their faces. Improving your skill on a uke takes time, but it doesn’t have to be boring. On the contrary, you can have a great time developing your skills by learning new and exciting songs.
Today we are going to show you some of the best songs to play on ukulele, which will be challenging but also gratifying.
by Ben Jacklin Last Updated
If you have ever searched for a new ukulele you will probably have noticed the huge number of brands that offer this particular instrument.
There are brands that are relatively new, brands that should be avoided, and even brands with hundreds of years of history for you to check out. We explore the very best ukulele brands in this guide and even mention some of their flagship models, but before you can choose the right brand, you will need to figure out what exactly it is that you need.
We choose our products by comparing a number of reputable products and brands. We have partnerships with many major retailers, and although this may have an impact on the selection of products for the article, our recommendations depend on the editorial staff's professional assessment of the best products.
Our research team evaluates the products on parameters such as:
The above is kept up against price and quality. It is important to mention that the order does not represent a ranking of products, but rather a review of some of the best products for different needs.
The ukulele is among the easiest instruments to learn and even though it’s a simpler instrument than a guitar or violin, there are still lots of factors to consider when choosing the right instrument. Here we’ll discuss the most important ones, as well as the most popular brands, in order to help you make the right decision.
The first and probably most important factor to consider is the size of the ukulele. Ukes typically come in four different sizes: Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone. The size of uke you pick will of course determine the sound, but also how easy or difficult it will be for you to play the instrument.
The smaller the uke, the smaller their fingerboard, which means its stretches are easier, but fretting might be harder to do, especially if you have larger hands. A larger uke will be louder, but with a warmer and rounder tone than the “standard” ukuleles that produce a more upbeat sound we all associate with the instrument.
So, there’s a lot to take into consideration before picking the right size for you. Luckily enough, most brands produce ukes in all sizes, so you’ll always be able to pick the one that suits you the best
Ukuleles, like most instruments these days, are made using a wide variety of materials and techniques. A rule of thumb is that higher quality ukuleles are made of solid tonewoods (koa, mahogany, cedar, rosewood, ect), whereas budget options are made of laminates, or even synthetic materials.
That does not necessarily mean that ukuleles made of solid wood will always produce a better sound, as that is determined by a lot of other factors, like shape, size, tuning, and type of strings. Ukes made out of solid wood are also a lot more sensitive, prone to cracking and their tone will change over time, whereas the ones made from laminated wood are a lot more resilient and will produce the same tone for years to come.
So which one to go for will largely depend on your personal preference. As a beginner you might do better with a laminated wood uke, as they are low maintenance, but still produce a great sound, but if you prefer the sound of a solid wood one, then there are brands that produce those for affordable prices, too. Mahalo for example, is known as a brand that mostly caters to beginners and hobbyists, while still using sustainable woods for their instruments.
If you are a pro, looking for an upgrade of your current instrument, then you might want to take a look at the offer of premium brands. Either way, if you stick to name brands, you will most likely get a quality product that will last you for a long time. Keep reading to learn more about the most popular ukulele brands and what makes them so special.
[Read more…]by Marko Jovanovic Last Updated
A ukulele is one of those instruments that are quite unique in their nature. Originated in Hawaii, the ukulele has played, and still plays a valuable role in the culture of this island.
Over time, the instrument has spread out from Hawaii and ultimately managed to reach just about every corner of the world. These days, it’s an instrument that brings joy to thousands of people around the globe.
