don_b
Well-known member
When you're playing ukulele, what size is the instrument you're typically playing?
What Size Uke Do You Most Commonly Play?
- Thread starter don_b
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stevejfc
Well-known member
It's a jump ball between baritone and concert. Don't play soprano and very seldom play tenor.
Tin Ear
Well-known member
Have several Tenors already but decided to try a Concert again. I bought two Ukes when I started, a Tenor and Concert. I favored the Tenor and gave the Concert to a friend. I think now that I have some time in and getting some comfort in fretting various chords on Tenors I might be a little more confident to giving a Concert a whirl again. It would be nice to have one Concert for a little variety to add to my collection of Tenors. I didn't find that first Concert real difficult to play but the Tenor was much easier. Guessing the Concert will be worth trying again and probably a bit easier now.
I spotted an Ohana Concert Solid Spruce top for sale and the seller said he was thinning his herd of Ukes. He said he got it from Mim so I figured I was pretty safe making the buy even though it was on Facebook marketplace. It's a CK70-W and comes with a deluxe gig bag. Guessing the Spruce top Walnut combo is older production and the Spruce Rosewood is current comparable from Ohana. First used Uke for me but I think it should turn out to be a decent purchase that saves some dollars. Looks to be a nice choice and being used I think it will fill the bill to explore a Concert size. Though I admit I really like my Tenors. But variety is the spice of life - right ?
I spotted an Ohana Concert Solid Spruce top for sale and the seller said he was thinning his herd of Ukes. He said he got it from Mim so I figured I was pretty safe making the buy even though it was on Facebook marketplace. It's a CK70-W and comes with a deluxe gig bag. Guessing the Spruce top Walnut combo is older production and the Spruce Rosewood is current comparable from Ohana. First used Uke for me but I think it should turn out to be a decent purchase that saves some dollars. Looks to be a nice choice and being used I think it will fill the bill to explore a Concert size. Though I admit I really like my Tenors. But variety is the spice of life - right ?
My first uke was a soprano when I didn't know about the sizes. When I tried to play it, I couldn't squeeze my fingers together enough, so I went to Sam Ash and tried a concert and a tenor. After playing guitar for almost 50 years, tenor is it for me. I also prefer cutaway. In the 1st year of playing, I accumulated 16 ukes, but then culled them to my favorite 4. In the last 8 years I've increased that to 8, which is as many as will fit in my humidified display case.
This is Michael Kohan in Los Angeles, Beverly Grove near the Beverly Center
8 tenor cutaway ukes, 4 acoustic bass ukes, 10 solid body bass ukes, 14 mini electric bass guitars (Total: 36)
Donate to The Ukulele Kids Club, they provide ukuleles to children in hospital music therapy programs. www.theukc.org
Member The CC Strummers: www.youtube.com/user/CCStrummers/video, www.facebook.com/TheCCStrummers
This is Michael Kohan in Los Angeles, Beverly Grove near the Beverly Center
8 tenor cutaway ukes, 4 acoustic bass ukes, 10 solid body bass ukes, 14 mini electric bass guitars (Total: 36)
Donate to The Ukulele Kids Club, they provide ukuleles to children in hospital music therapy programs. www.theukc.org
Member The CC Strummers: www.youtube.com/user/CCStrummers/video, www.facebook.com/TheCCStrummers
Soprano, easily. The soprano size just happens to accommodate my style of playing the best. If I'm going for a more melodic type of playing I might grab a concert. I've never gotten on with the tenor size. The scale length is just too big and bulky for me. I like the ukulele for its small body size and in that regard the tenor is just the antithesis of a uke for me.
Soprano only. I've got a concert and a tenor, but never play them.
John Colter
John Colter
Ms Bean
Well-known member
I tried a soprano first, but I didn't like the sound. The size I probably could have gotten used to, if I had liked it enough to play it.
I bought a tenor and it was immediately clear that that was my preferred size. I always pick up a tenor when I'm trying to figure out arrangements.
During lockdown I started to play my baritone more often, since I was playing on my own I didn't have to transpose in my head. So after a while my hands grew into the baritone, and ever since my uke buddies and me have gotten back to playing socially distanced ouside in the garden, I've started to take my baritone.
I bought a tenor and it was immediately clear that that was my preferred size. I always pick up a tenor when I'm trying to figure out arrangements.
During lockdown I started to play my baritone more often, since I was playing on my own I didn't have to transpose in my head. So after a while my hands grew into the baritone, and ever since my uke buddies and me have gotten back to playing socially distanced ouside in the garden, I've started to take my baritone.
MutinousDoug
Well-known member
I initially picked up the uke for when I didn't want to drag a guitar around so a soprano goes in the car when I think I'll be waiting around somewhere with nothing to do. My 1st uke was a concert and I like the size and voice better so I bought a concert Fluke off eBay some years ago for when I want to do more than just noodle around.
I have a guitar pile and a ukulele pile. A soprano seems to be on top of the ukulele pile most of the time so I guess that's the one that gets picked up most often. Seems like if I want to practice (not nearly often enough) I pick up a guitar unless I want to learn something ukuleley, then the Fluke gets the nod. If I'm in the car or watching the grill I'll probably have a soprano nearby.
I have a guitar pile and a ukulele pile. A soprano seems to be on top of the ukulele pile most of the time so I guess that's the one that gets picked up most often. Seems like if I want to practice (not nearly often enough) I pick up a guitar unless I want to learn something ukuleley, then the Fluke gets the nod. If I'm in the car or watching the grill I'll probably have a soprano nearby.
Blank Williams
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The king of the ukes - soprano
Joyful Uke
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Concert. That's the only size I play these days. I liked tenor a lot, but my fingers can't handle it. (I had an injury that brings some limitations.) I had one soprano, but sold that, too, because my fingers weren't happy. But, concert works out for me, though I do have to be picky about the neck.
Canada Jim
Well-known member
My favourites are concerts and tenors.
I gave my Pono soprano to the kid next door. Too small for me. I play tenor 51% & baritone 49%, so I voted tenor.
It's an interesting poll. Thanks donboody!
It's an interesting poll. Thanks donboody!
TopDog
Well-known member
See my signature for my answer! I do own two concert scale instruments.and one sopranino too. But for me, soprano takes it every time!
Croaky Keith
Well-known member
Started with a tenor, got a soprano, then a concert, found a 'long neck' soprano - & loved it! 
But now, I mainly have tenor scales (with smaller bodies than regular tenors), & soprano bodies with concert or tenor scale necks, & a couple of concerts.
(Plus a regular tenor, & two baritones - I used to have UAS.)
Edit: My grab up uke is still my long neck soprano though....
(Low G on all but two ukes.)
But now, I mainly have tenor scales (with smaller bodies than regular tenors), & soprano bodies with concert or tenor scale necks, & a couple of concerts.
(Plus a regular tenor, & two baritones - I used to have UAS.)
Edit: My grab up uke is still my long neck soprano though....
(Low G on all but two ukes.)
Last edited:
Jerryc41
Well-known member
Sorry, but I can't answer this one. I just pick a uke and play it - all three sizes I can't even guess which size I play the most. I have roughly even numbers of the three popular sizes.
