What Is a Ukulele, Anyway?

As far as stringed instruments go, the ukulele is relatively new. The history of the uke tells us that it was created as a variation of the traditional Portuguese machete, a small instrument with just four or five strings made from animal gut that resembles a guitar. 

The word "ukulele" means "jumping flea" in Hawaiian, probably because of the way a player's fingers jump around the small neck and fretboard. It was introduced by Portuguese immigrants to Hawaii around 1879, and was quickly adopted as a national symbol of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Since then, it's popularity has waxed and waned, but beginning in the 1990s, the ukulele has become a beloved instrument of musicians and singers of all styles including bluegrass, jazz, and rock.

Ukuleles come in several different sizes: the soprano is the most popular and widely known size, and is pretty perfect for beginners and kids. Slightly larger than that is the concert size, followed by the tenor, and finally the baritone ukulele, which has roughly the dimensions of a half-size guitar.

Ukuleles can have four, five, six, or eight strings, and their tunings vary widely. Most ukuleles have a traditional re-entrant tuning with a high G, then followed by C, E, A. Baritone ukes can be tuned like the top four strings of a guitar - D, G, B, E. Finding the "right" tuning for you is all a matter of personal preference, and depends on what style of music you're playing. 

There are also U-Bass or bass ukuleles available, although my personal experience with them is limited to what I see online and in books. (A U-Bass is also on my list of ukes to acquire in 2020, so we'll see what happens with that.) 

Among the different styles and tunings and string configurations for ukuleles, there are things like resonator ukuleles that are similar to resonator guitars with a large metal plate instead of a sound hole for amplifying sound. Electric ukes are popping up in concert halls and among pop musicians, too. 

There are pineapple shaped ukuleles, ukuleles with beautiful images and famous works of art printed on their tops, ukuleles with unique carved soundholes, and so many variations of this humble little instrument that for collectors and players like me, there's always a reason to acquire a new uke.

Interested in getting your first uke and don't know where to start? I got ya covered. Stay tuned.