Ukulele Instrument Explained: History, Types, and How to Play

Quick Summary

Introduction

Can four strings really make a song from a few basic chords? The music instrument ukulele’s sweet and small shape has long been familiar to sing along with at home or strum along to a song.

Interested in the ukulele? We tell you its history, its sizes, the main parts, and how to play it. Ukulele By the name of the instrument we know that it is Hawaiian, but the origin of the ukulele has its origin in Portugal.

What Is a Ukulele Instrument?

A music instrument ukulele is a stringed, fretboarded instrument, most commonly with four strings. The player presses strings against the fretboard in order to produce the desired notes and chords; strings are plucked or strummed to generate sound. Typical standard ukulele (soprano, concert and tenor) tuning is G-C-E-A, while a baritone ukulele is typically D-G-B-E.

It is bright and clear in sound and is best for plain chords, melodies and jamming. As with most string instruments, it can be a challenge to tune each string, use clean finger placement and change chords smoothly, so it takes patience. The ukulele musical instrument can be quite forgiving and beginner-friendly, but has room to become more detailed.

How Do You Spell Ukulele? (Common Confusion Explained)

The standard English spelling is ukulele. You will also see “ukulele”, which is the Hawaiian spelling and has the original okina, a small mark that indicates the presence of a glottal stop, in it. The rare spelling “ukelele” does still show up, but “ukulele” is the most common.

Here’s a little trick to remember it: U-ku-le-le. Pronounce each part softly as opposed to trying to give it an English pronunciation.

What Was the Ukulele Originally Called?

The Portuguese instrument that led to the ukulele was a machté (also machete; ‘mah-CHET’). Similar Portuguese instruments included the braguinha and rajo. The instrument which developed in Hawaii became the ukulele (‘oo-ka-LAY-lee’), a Hawaiian word.

History and Origin of the Ukulele

So, where did this famous ukulele musical instrument originate? Madeira-born Portuguese immigrants settled the island of Hawaii in the 19th century with small guitar-shaped instruments. Madeiran immigration arrived at Honolulu in 1879, under the names of Nunes, a woodworker, along with August Dias and Jos do Esprito Santo, who are known in the early production of the ukulele.

Local builders of the 1880s had combined elements of Portuguese instruments, Hawaiian styles and musical preferences to produce their own instruments. The exact history of the first ukulele is difficult to determine as the instrument seemed to have been a joint effort of more than one maker.

Its name is often translated as “jumping flea”, possibly alluding to the nimble fingers running across the strings. The origin of the word is still debated and the above should be considered as a popular etymology rather than a hard truth.

Types of Ukuleles

Main Types of Ukuleles Soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone are the typical varieties. (Size is important because it impacts a ukulele’s feel and tone, and volume, and tuning varies on a baritone.)

1. Soprano Ukulele

The smallest of the four common sizes, this sound is indicative of the classic bright tone of the ukulele. It’s a good choice for a child or someone who enjoys a small bodied instrument, however the fret spacing can be tight for some adult players.

2. Concert Ukulele

A concert ukulele is a little bigger than a soprano. It generally has more space between frets and has a richer sound while still being small. It could be comfortable for students who prefer a small instrument but have larger hands.

3. Tenor Ukulele

It’s bigger again, deeper, more resonant and roomier along the fretboard. For fingerpicking or just a richer bottom-end in a guitar that feels more comfortable in your hands, it may be the ticket-don’t rely on labels.

4. Baritone Ukulele

The baritone is the biggest of these four ‘standard’ sizes. It tends to be D-G-B-E (the same as the top four strings of a guitar), so the chords and tone are different from standard G-C-E-A.

Parts of the Ukulele and How It Produces Sound

The most important parts are, the body, neck, fretboard, strings, frets, headstock, tuning pegs, nut, bridge and sound hole. They control the string’s tension and pitch; the frets denote where each fret should be. The nut positions the strings between the neck and headstock and the bridge is located on the body to the strings.

Pluck or hit a string and it vibrates. The vibration is transmitted by the bridge to the body, which vibrates and helps to project the sound through the sound hole. Using a finger or thumb to press a string against a fret alters the vibrating length of the string, thus changing the note.

Ukulele vs Guitar: Key Differences

Let’s compare a ukulele and guitar by noting the number of strings, size, tuning and sound. A music instrument ukulele has four strings and a smaller body than a guitar. The standard ukulele has four strings and a shorter neck than a guitar; their tuning and chord shapes differ, but both instruments have frets and can be used to sing along.

When deciding on Ukulele vs Guitar, consider the sound you prefer, the feel of the instrument, and what you’d like to accomplish. Ukuleles aren’t easier for everyone, and guitar skills don’t perfectly translate because the strings and tuning are different.

How to Start Playing the Ukulele

Start with a well sounding instrument, a loose relaxed chair and practise in small sessions. In this common G-C-E-A tuning the strings are generally named starting from the top string G, C, E and A. In the common high-G tuning the C string is actually lower in pitch than the G string.

Begin with these first steps:

1. Sit in a comfortable position and relax back against your torso.
2. Support the neck without squeezing it.
3. Pluck each open string and check its tuning.
4. Learn one chord shape at a time, placing fingertips just behind the fret.
5. Strum slowly and evenly, keeping your wrist loose.
6. Practise changing between two chords before adding more.

A consistent few minutes a day will allow you to become aware of finger placement and timing. If you are learning vocals or another instrument alongside, exploring an online western music course can help you build broader musical understanding.

Ukulele Mechanics and Structural Components

A ukulele instrument produces sound by vibrating the strings and then causing the rest of the ukulele’s body to vibrate as well. There are several components involved in making, changing and transmitting sound:

• Strings: you need to pluck or strum strings in order to make them vibrate. For the most part, the thicker the string and the higher the tension, the higher the sound they will make.
• Tuning pegs: Tuning a peg tightens or loosens its string, raising or lowering the pitch. A tuner can be used to see if each string is in tune.
• Headstock: At the top end of the neck, tuning keys are used to adjust the strings to tune the instrument. It is also designed to locate the strings so that they are not loose.
• Nut: A little grooved part where the headstock joins the neck. It helps space the strings out and directs them across the fretboard with the help of grooves.
• Neck and fretboard: The neck attaches the headstock to the body of the instrument. The fretboard is the thin strip along the front of the neck where you put your fingers to fret notes and chords.
• Frets: Narrow metal strips that run across the fretboard. When you press the string just behind a fret, you divide the vibrating length of the string. A small amount of pressure, and being close to the fret, ensures a good, clear note.
• Body and soundboard:The body is the empty space of the instrument. Its top, known as the soundboard, vibrates in response to the strings and amplifies the instrument’s voice.
• Bridge and saddle: The bridge holds the strings onto the body of the guitar. The saddle, which is located on the bridge, transfers the vibrations of the strings to the soundboard.
• Sound hole: an opening in the body that enables the sound inside the hollow instrument to come out.

As you strum the strings vibrate and resonate through the saddle and bridge into the soundboard. The hollow sound board amplifies the vibration. When you push a string into a fret it adjusts the length of the vibrating portion of the string, and the tuning pegs change its tension, enabling you to change the pitch and form various notes and chords.

Basic Chords for Beginners

C, F, G and Am are frequently asked for beginner chords. Vertical lines on a chord diagram represent the strings; horizontal lines the frets; dots the finger positions. Get the diagram of the chord shape correct for your style of tuning and your size of instrument; then pluck each string in turn to see that it rings out.

Practice chord changes slowly Don’t try to move to the next chord without stopping for a moment and letting the string buzz out. Keep your fingers in the new shape and strum once to let the string ring, then try again to play to the beat.

Simple Strumming Patterns

Begin with 4 soft, even down strokes, counting “1, 2, 3, 4.” Once comfortable, try “down, down-up, down, down-up.” The key isn’t to rush, but to keep a consistent pulse. Strum with your thumb or index finger, and try to keep the wrist relaxed; the loosening wrist can also help guitar beginners with strumming tips.

Tips for Choosing Your First Ukulele

Try it out before you buy. If you can, hold the instrument and see if your fingers will stretch easily across the fretboard and test if the neck feels like it will be easy to use. Compare the sound of the sizes and ask if you want a bright and tight sound or a richer sound.

Know that the ukulele instrument remains in tune, the strings have a comfortable height from the fretboard, and the fretboard is smooth. Remember that the usual tuning of a baritone differs from those of the more common sizes. A well-regarded musical instrument may still be uncomfortable for your hands or may not help you play what you want.

For music learning in general, Artium Academy has live 1:1 classes on select vocals and instruments, from certified teachers. Their GRMP-accredited curriculum guides you through a sequence of study, accompanied by masterclasses from star artists.

You can also explore Artium’s music tools to practise with other supported instruments.

Conclusion

Could a few steady strums be your first step into music? The ukulele instrument draws inspiration from Portugal and the Hawaiian music scene, with four main body types, each with a different fit, tone and tuning. For novices, it pays to tune the instrument, learn some chords and practice one simple rhythm with patience.

If you would like guided learning in vocals or another instrument, Artium Academy offers 1:1 live classes with certified teachers and a GRMP-recognised curriculum. Ready to start? Schedule a free 1:1 trial class with Artium Academy and learn at your own pace with certified teachers.