I want a Soprano, but can't seem to play it. And, still want one

I play soprano to baritone size and I agree that soprano can be very tight especially if u move up the fret board. And I consider my hands smallish. There is no one size fits all. When u need to stretch your fingers for certain chords you’ll appreciate the smaller ones. When u have to fret all your fingers on the same fret each on its own string it becomes a real challenge playing smaller ones. Hence we all end up with multiple ukes!

There are a few Long neck sopranos out there. Koaloha makes a tenor neck soprano body too. But the uke is rather imbalance. Ok if you are playing sitting down.

These pineapple Sundays are soprano sized body. I have one and it sounds just like a soprano.

https://mimsukes.com/collections/co...y-pauc-c-all-solid-acacia-import-ukulele-m555

Contrails said:

I play soprano to baritone size and I agree that soprano can be very tight especially if u move up the fret board. And I consider my hands smallish. There is no one size fits all. When u need to stretch your fingers for certain chords you’ll appreciate the smaller ones. When u have to fret all your fingers on the same fret each on its own string it becomes a real challenge playing smaller ones. Hence we all end up with multiple ukes!

There are a few Long neck sopranos out there. Koaloha makes a tenor neck soprano body too. But the uke is rather imbalance. Ok if you are playing sitting down.

These pineapple Sundays are soprano sized body. I have one and it sounds just like a soprano.

https://mimsukes.com/collections/co...y-pauc-c-all-solid-acacia-import-ukulele-m555

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Thanks for your reply. How is the nut width and playability on your Pono Soprano?

ajbelville said:

Thanks for your reply. How is the nut width and playability on your Pono Soprano?

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I find that Pono ukes are very easy to play with very little effort. My 3 ponos are all easier to play than the 2 Koaloha brand ones. (UkeSA and Opio)

As for nut width they are not the widest. The specs are at the bottom of the link.

https://theukulelesite.com/shop-by/brand/pono/pono-ms-mahogany-soprano.html

If yOu want to play just sopranos than then get what some guys here have suggested. Wide nut width. It might be more comfy in the Long run. If your fingers are all jammed up against each other and it’s still too tight to fret there is just so much u can go with technique.

ajbelville said:

I've tried a two Ohana sopranos, and one Bruce Wei. Couldn't comfortably play any of them. My hand's are medium sized, but long fingers. The goofy thing is, when I read any posts on this site about "Martin sopranos" or best Martin Copies, I get to wanting one again.

I can play a concert better, and have settled on Kanile'a K1 and Cordoba Tenors for now.

Anyone have this dilemma? Am I being drawn in by that sweet "POP" I know they have and the "cute" factor?

Al

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In the beginning, the soprano was it. If you played a uke, you played a soprano. Buy one and play it. You'll adapt. You don't necessarily have to spend $1,000 on one, but there are many reasonably-priced "standard" ukes available. I play sopranissimo through tenor. I'm not a great player, but I enjoy all the sizes. As Nike says, "Just do it!"

Upon further reflection, I think you may want to consider a Bruko. They have a pretty roomy nut width, and a very classy look. (Thinking specifically of the Bruko #6.) Very nicely built and very comfortable to play and a decent price. If you are in the US, there aren't a lot of folks who stock them. Uke Republic is the only one that comes to mind and where I got my #6.

(I will caution that Brukos do have a very distinctive sound and not everyone likes them.)

Starting to narrow the mahogany sopranos down to Pono, Islander, and Martin.

Where do you place your thumb on the back of the neck when forming chords?
If you tend to curl your thumb over the top of the neck you may have difficulties with
the limited spacing of the Soprano scale.

If that is not the issue, and you really want to play the Soprano... like others have
suggested... practice and you'll eventually make it work (Necessity being the Mother
of Invention ),

keep uke'in',

Uncle Rod Higuchi said:

Where do you place your thumb on the back of the neck when forming chords?
If you tend to curl your thumb over the top of the neck you may have difficulties with
the limited spacing of the Soprano scale.

If that is not the issue, and you really want to play the Soprano... like others have
suggested... practice and you'll eventually make it work (Necessity being the Mother
of Invention ),

keep uke'in',

Click to expand...

Thanks! I do sometimes hook my thumb around the neck

I have posted before,that over the years I have played all of the different scale sizes of Ukulele; and as per my signature on every post I make, I seemed to always go back to Soprano! And now, it is definitely my scale of choice. If you feel that it is the one for you, stick with it,and it will eventually feel 'right' in your hands.

I see that Bill - who usually removes his posts after a few days - has suggested using a Mahalo Soprano to you as a cheap take it anywhere and keep trying instrument. It’s just my experience but Mahalo models vary quite a bit and they definitely aren’t guaranteed to please. Having said that I have an old ‘pre-owned’ Mahalo that I bought for not much off of a well known auction site. I took a risk and this one (I have had others) turned out to be an absolute joy, but it did require a good set-up and the right strings to turn it into something of value - or rather value to me, despite playing really well it will never have monetary value.

I’m too mean to spend the money and think it overpriced but if you can afford one then a Kiwaya KSU1 Student Soprano wouldn’t be a bad way to proceed. Arguably the Baton Rouge V2 wide neck Soprano would serve you very well too, and be a bit cheaper without being any less good.

https://www.kiwayasbest.com/html/page46.html
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OV511mZzWTM

https://www.batonrougeguitars.com/ukuleles/soprano/detail/us/product/v2-swsun-154023.html
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEei3725m9U