DREAMY MELODIC SOUND - Crafted to allow you to create warm, pitch-perfect Hawaiian harmonies, this kids ukulele has also been adored by teen and adult musicians as well. The best gift you can buy for yourself or your loved one! We love the uke for its ability to bring a dash of eternal sunshine to impromptu, alfresco singalongs with your mates. In a world dominated by cookie-cutter, homogeneous commercial pop we also welcome its ability to bring something fresh and exciting to the mix. So, yes, we heartily recommend you go straight out and buy one, but only on the condition, you learn more than three chords… How we choose the best ukuleles So, can you live without a uke in your life? For better or worse, ukulele music has certainly been a feature of our lives for the past 140 years but are you ready to make some? And are we ready to listen to it? Ukulele-tinged music may be most dominantly established in Hawaiian culture but during the early 20th Century the instrument found huge popularity in folk, jazz, and vaudeville.

It may be small, but the ukulele is a serious instrument in its own right. Originally from Hawaii, it gained popularity throughout the United States during the early 20th century, then eventually internationally. But why would you do that, we hear you ask? Some say that centuries ago it was impossible to reliably manufacture accurate bass strings so a higher string was always used. Others believe that a high fourth string makes certain chord voicings easier to play. Whatever the truth, most of us would agree that it's a re-entrant tuning that gives the ukulele its unique, characteristic sound. The Fullerton Strat ukulele even features a built-in pre-amp, giving you the option to enjoy it unplugged or plugged in to one of the best guitar amps if you so wish. You might not find those Hank Marvin or John Frusciante-inspired Strat tones, but the Fullerton Strat ukulele still sounds rich and pleasing. This projection and tonal warmth is down to the mahogany and spruce body. Honestly, we're thoroughly impressed.

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Now, what's that we can hear? It's a chilled hula band – the hypnotic beat of the Pahu drum, the otherworldly sound of a lap steel in full song, and the unmistakable strum of a ukulele. The fabulous little ukulele, what could be more Hawaiian than that? Released by Yamaha a decade before the current uke boom, they're only just now becoming more widely available. Tuned to A, and without the re-entrant 'G', it really does sit perfectly halfway between guitar and uke, hence the name. If the complexities of ukulele tuning fill you with horror (they really shouldn't) then consider a Yamaha Guitalele, which is essentially a uke-sized guitar. Buy some high-tension strings and you can even tune it exactly the same as your guitar, and get the fretboard map to match. Does the wood make a difference to the sound of a ukulele? An instrument to inspire beginners of all ages. The Gear4music Ukulele is fun, portable and easy to play. With a quality build to stand the test of time, it will hold your interest throughout hours of play and practice.

So far, we've been looking at the soprano uke, which is the most popular and widespread model available. But it's not alone in ukedom. The concert ukulele is slightly larger by a couple of inches and usually boasts 14 – 17 frets to the soprano's 12 – 15. Tuning is the same, but it can be easier for larger-fingered players to get their digits around its slightly bigger frame and fretboard. A concert uke should have better bass response too, but the downside is that it's not quite so portable. Our guides cover a spectrum of ukuleles, from budget-friendly options to high-end models that deliver exceptional craftsmanship and tonal richness. Each recommendation in our guide has earned its place through thorough rigorous testing, so you can rely on our recommendations. All very quaint 'n quirky, but what does this teach us? The Portuguese sailors probably favored the cavaquinho because it was simple to play and easy to stow on a cramped sailing ship. Let's face it, they would have struggled to smuggle a piano on board. King Kalakaua, and his court, found it irresistible because it was fun to play and sounds great. So, if you're looking for an instrument that sounds unique, is easy to travel with, and is impossible to put down then go buy yourself one of the best ukuleles in this guide. Are ukuleles easy to play? That are four common varieties: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. These vary in terms of size, scale length and tuning. Nowadays, some manufacturers even produce guitar-ukulele and bass-ukulele hybrids, designed to more accessible to contemporary players.Essentially, It's neither a guitar, nor a ukulele - but as much as this might put people off, the unique status and position of this instrument within the market makes it one that bridges the gap especially well. Granted, if you want a uke, this isn't it - but if you're undecided, then this guitalele just might help you decide. Thankfully, the price isn't too high - so it's win/win, in our opinion.