I was wondering if a tenor ukulele has any advantages, like playing more advanced songs up the fingerboard?
Here's my experiences if you haven't already gotten an answer that you like:
I started out with a soprano (probably like everyone else, lol). Then I visited a music store and played around with several, found that I liked the concert better- tenor was too big. I was a 'concert player' and bought a whole bunch of concerts. Then after playing about a year and a half, my playing has evolved. As my skills improved, my ability to play higher up the neck became more natural and now I like the option of playing higher octaves. Now I am selling some concerts to make way for more tenors. I do also notice that my hand can stretch more and my fingers have become stronger so I can barre notes more easily. but the caveat to that is that the tenor has to have a good set-up- low action. Now when I try to play the concert after the tenor, it's like a different instrument to me, the concert is almost like a toy!
So to answer your question:
+
Concert
1. more compact frets for smaller hands, beginners, those who don't want to put a whole lot of finger pressure. to me, easier to strum than to pick
2. probable lower action does seem to make it easier to play as far as finger force goes
3. easier to transport, good in smaller spaces like car (waiting for kids, not while driving!)
4. sounds more like a soprano for that traditional ukulele sound
Tenor
1. louder/more resonant due to bigger body
2. bigger body makes it easier to hold now, concert feels like I'm fumbling a football, lol
3. able to reach higher notes
4. more space between strings, to me better for picking