Soprano Ukulele: Is It the Best Size?

By Al Wood

There are four classifications when it comes to ukuleles - baritone, tenor, concert and soprano. Each ukulele fits into one of these groups according to its size. The size is determined by the playable section of the strings (between the bridge and nut). Commonly called the 'scale size'.

The smallest ukulele is the soprano which has a 13 inch scale length.

The soprano is the most common ukulele of all. So why is it so popular?

The Sound It Makes

A big advantage of the soprano ukulele is its tone. It has the sound that you most associate with the ukulele (since it is the oldest and most common size).

Low Cost

Most of the cheapest ukuleles that you will find for sale are sopranos (although not all sopranos are cheap by any means). This makes them perfect for beginners who just want to test out whether the ukulele is for them.

It's Size

Being small, the soprano is often chosen in schools and by parents for their children. And the size also has benefits for those with larger hands. Playing chords and stretching for notes becomes a lot easier on such a small instrument.

Strumming a Soprano

The soprano ukulele is probably the best size of ukulele for playing chords on. Because it is small, it is great for strumming. Not only does it produce a fantastic sound but it is also a very natural way to play the instrument.

Downside of the Soprano

There are a few downsides to playing the soprano. It's suitability for chords means that it less suitable for fingerpicking. So if you are looking to play Shimabukuro-style solo pieces, a soprano is not the best way to go.

Also, some people find it just too small for them. They find they need that little extra room to use to play.

Conclusion

The soprano ukulele is the perfect ukulele for many people. It's particularly good for beginners since it is easy to play, sounds fantastic and is adorably small! - 20768

About the Author:

0 comments:

Post a Comment

All About Music © 2008. Blog design by Randomness Blogger Templates