Lockdown gave everyone another reason to pursue their musical interests. Though unconventional and often toyish in appearance, the Ukulele became popular after artists like Paul McCartney, Jason Mraz, and Eddie Veeder adopted the instrument into their art. Ukes, popularly nicknamed among the artist community, have traveled into history and undergone many evolutions. Today, the options, variety of tones, and built offer artisans a decadent platter of choices to choose from. Lets find out the reasons why Ukulele Is An Excellent Instrument For Beginners.
What is a ukulele?
The Ukulele is a lute-like instrument that belongs to the family of devices known as lutes. In most cases, four nylon strings are used.
The uke was developed in Hawaii around the 1880s by Portuguese immigrant cabinet makers who fashioned instruments similar to those prevalent in their homelands, based on numerous miniature members of the guitar family. It became pretty popular in other parts of the United States during the early twentieth century and going forward. It spread all over the world.
When American artists began producing songs with Hawaiian themes and sound in the 1920s, the uke’s appeal extended to the United States. The instrument became popular in pop music from the 1940s to the 1960s. Ukes made a revival in the 1990s, fueled in part by the enormous popularity of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s medley. Since time and again, the instrument has made several comebacks and is now popular among artists, especially its hybrid models.
Types of Ukulele
Ukes are popularly divided into types based on their size. They are widely available in four sizes, namely, soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. The order is based on the increasing sizes. There are two sizes measured for each instrument, scale length, and overall length tuning. The measurement for all types is as follows.
Soprano-
The most classic and preferred type is soprano due to its compact size and bright sounds. It has 21 inches of overall length. This makes it a good fit for kids.
Concert-
The overall length is 23 inches. It has a slightly deeper and louder tone than the soprano, yet it has a sound similar to that of the soprano.
Tenor-
It has 26 inches of overall length, and its scale provides a deeper, more resonant sound because of its scale. It’s bigger fingerboard makes it easier to fit larger hands.
Baritone-
The overall length is 30 inches. Its bass notes are substantially more profound than those of its little brethren. It’s tuned like a guitar’s top four strings, making it a fantastic second instrument and a smooth transition for guitarists.
A variety of woods and manufacturing techniques are used to create ukes. A few are constructed of metal and synthetic materials. The sound produced by various woods on the ukes varies. Ukes with mahogany tops sound mellower and warmer, but those with spruce or cedar tops sound brighter and louder.
Reasons to choose Ukulele as a beginner
Ukes are not just pleasant-sounding instruments but are a great choice as a newbie instrumentalist.
- Easy to learn
The uke is less challenging to pick up than the guitar or mandolin. Its light nylon strings are kinder on the fingertips and do not cause finger pain. Because the notes are reachable without stretching, the compact size decreases wrist tension. It also has only four strings, making chord forms and scales simpler to master.
- Affordable
Using a uke will not put a dent in the buyer’s wallet like other instruments will. Anyone can obtain a brand new uke for under $100, and there are multiple body sizes (soprano, concert, tenor, baritone) to meet the needs and budget.
- Compact
The most considerable charm of owning a uke is the travel friendliness of the instrument. It can practically be taken anywhere, including a beach, party, or plane.
- Enjoyable
The uke is a fantastic social instrument. Its upbeat tone makes it a joy to play and accessible to anyone.
Conclusion
When it comes to beginners, stringed instruments are often painful to learn. However, that is not the case with ukes. This feature makes them an excellent choice for beginners who wish to learn a guitar, electric bass, or violin. The instrument offers enjoyable tunes with various sizes to choose from without a burdening price tag.
