Ukulele sizes

Ukuleles come in 4 basic sizes:

Soprano: The smallest size. Tuned GCEA (from top string to bottom).

Concert: A longer neck and larger body than the soprano. Tuned GCEA.

Tenor: A longer neck and larger body than the concert. Tuned GCEA.

Baritone: Tuned DGBE (like the 4 highest strings on a guitar).

Body shapes

Ukuleles also come in various body shapes, including the traditional shape, the Fluke, and the pineapple.

Banjo ukulele

A banjo ukulele or banjolele is a cross between a banjo and a ukulele; It’s the physical size of a concert ukulele, but with the body of a small banjo. Some have an open back and some have a resonator back, which provides more sound.

Materials

Body (top, back, sides), neck, fretboard

Strings

The standard ukulele comes with 4 strings. Additionally, some ukuleles come with 5, 6 or 8 strings.

Ukulele strings are usually nylon or nylgut, a synthetic material that offers the musical benefits of ‘gut’ strings without using animal intestines. Baritone ukulele strings are usually a mix of nylon (or nylgut) strings, and metal wound strings.

Music genres

A common misconception is that a ukulele is limited to playing traditional Hawaiian tunes. However, numerous genres can be played on a ukulele.