Beginner Musician: Ukulele Shopping Guide

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Looking for a fun instrument to learn to play and enjoy the sound of? Look no further than the ukulele - it’s an option that can brighten your days with the notes, and provide you with a treat as you master the techniques and find your style. To make the most of this fun new hobby, however, you need to get the adequate instrument for your needs.

What Should I Look For When Buying a Ukulele?

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Since there are many options you’d come across, be it when shopping online from trusted retailers or buying in local stores, so it’s crucial to focus on the key aspects that are important to choose quality ukulele and see what playing it is all about. Consider: 

The Size

You may have one preference when first going on the quest for the perfect instrument, but your size is a significant factor in how big the instrument should be, and how comfortable you’d be playing it. If you’re smaller, a smaller ukulele is a no-brainer, whereas for a bigger person with larger hands you could do with a bigger one for a more comfortable experience. Besides the length, weight is another essential aspect here, so be sure to know this beforehand if you’re buying online, and if not you could always try out several models before the purchase to see what best fits you.

The Budget

First things first, how committed are you to playing the ukulele? If it’s a hobby you’d really like to pursue and master, then you could invest in something more top-notch, like ukuleles that are priced above $100. Higher priced ones are usually made from more exotic woods and materials that last longer, they have improved tone thanks to solid wood tops, backs, and sides, and have overall better craftsmanship and playability. 

The ones priced $50 to $100 aren’t to be underestimated either, especially if this is going to be your first instrument that gets you to see how playing feels like. They’re usually reasonably made, they sound good, and are comfortable to play too. What you shouldn’t settle for, though, is an instrument cheaper than $50 because that could ruin your overall experience due to the discomfort, and poor playability plus sound quality. 

The Goals

Do you get into this new hobby with a specific goal on the style you intend to play? If so, this could be the determining factor that points out the type of ukulele you should buy. Be sure to go over this aspect to know you’re getting the right kind as they’re not all equal. 

The Preference

Sometimes, you just can’t help but have your eyes and mind set on a specific type that nothing else compares. Perhaps you like the sound or feel, perhaps you just think you’d do best with that particular model - it’s all good as long as you get something based on your personal preference. If in doubt, it’s best to try out different models to see what suits you the most.

The Type

This is yet another aspect you can’t overlook as there are four basic types you get to shop from: soprano, tenor, baritone, and concert. 

Soprano

When you think of a ukulele in a traditional sense, this is it. This type is the smallest, and has the classic bright sound that appeals to most beginners. If you want to buy ukulele that’s known for being lightweight, easy to use and play, as well as easy to carry around, you’re going to love this type. More so if you travel a lot, as it makes for a great portable choice. 

Tenor

Unlike the soprano which is typically used for Hawaiian music, the deeper and richer sounds of the tenor type make it perfect for professional jazz musicians, but other genres as well. Due to the bigger number of frets, it’s usually preferred by more advanced players who want to experiment with a bigger range of notes. 

Baritone

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If you’re looking for the largest ukuleles there are, they’re of this type. As such, with its larger and imposing body, this instrument produces the most deep and rich sound. Just like the aforementioned alternative, this makes it a preferred choice of professionals, and those who want to advance more in this instrument as you get to experiment with a wider range of chords. 

Concert

In case you’re after some in-between choice as you feel the soprano is too small, and the tenor is too large, look no further than the concert type. Bigger fit for bigger hands, but still small enough to be comfortable and lightweight (perfect even for travel), it’s great for anyone who wants to perfect their ukulele playing. The bigger size compared to that of the soprano also provides the player with more range as well as versatility when it comes to notes and chords.