A little advice from the more experienced

Joe90

Joe90

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Picking up a new uke tomorow but sadly im working so a family member will be getting it. Thing is its either a concert or a tenor and im undecided which to go for size wise.

Im coming from a soprano size uke, and ideally would like to buy the tenor size one. My question is would a tenor be harder for me to play being still in the beginner stages? As i cant try it, what would your advice be? Thanks joe
 
I've actually played all three sizes, so here's my comment:
Since playability's your issue, I'm gonna guess that you're considering a tenor mainly because of the larger fret widths and, secondarily, more frets and better sound quality. More frets should actually be a little more comfortable since it would encourage the proper (and ergonomic) way to hold an ukulele. However, the larger fret widths were what troubled me the most. It took a long time to get used to the transition between uke sizes, but eventually the tenor became the easiest to play out of the three sizes. If you switch to a tenor now and practice with it, then playability shouldn't be a problem.
 
The uke is the only stringed instrument that I've played and I originally bought a tenor because of the fret width issues mentioned above. I found it too difficult to play however and now play almost exclusively sopranos, even though on some chords like D I have the opposite problem (difficult to squeeze my fat little fingers all in one soprano fret). But I wouldn't suggest making a decision about the size of uke you buy without trying out the different sizes first and seeing which is most comfortable for your body (fingers, hands, etc.). I ended up loving vintage instruments which pretty much means that I'll be playing sopranos, but every so often I pick up my concerts and go, wow, those wider frets are nice. Problem is it's a much more awkward instrument to hold and less portable (I do a fair amount of traveling) than a soprano. Each size has advantages and disadvantages and more depends on your particular preferences than anything else. cheers, g2
 
It is unfortunate you can't try the different uke sizes and models before you buy. I play soprano, concert, and tenor sizes. If you want a tenor, go for it. But be prepared to work through the feel differences.
 
Joe90 said:
Picking up a new uke tomorow but sadly im working so a family member will be getting it. Thing is its either a concert or a tenor and im undecided which to go for size wise.

Im coming from a soprano size uke, and ideally would like to buy the tenor size one. My question is would a tenor be harder for me to play being still in the beginner stages? As i cant try it, what would your advice be? Thanks joe
Click to expand...


go for a concert with at least 14 frets before the body starts, best of both worlds
 
CasanovaGuy said:
I've actually played all three sizes, so here's my comment:
Since playability's your issue, I'm gonna guess that you're considering a tenor mainly because of the larger fret widths and, secondarily, more frets and better sound quality. More frets should actually be a little more comfortable since it would encourage the proper (and ergonomic) way to hold an ukulele. However, the larger fret widths were what troubled me the most. It took a long time to get used to the transition between uke sizes, but eventually the tenor became the easiest to play out of the three sizes. If you switch to a tenor now and practice with it, then playability shouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...

I think the tenor is the hardest to play. The string tension is very high. My favorites are Soprano and Concert.
 
fernandogardinali said:
I think the tenor is the hardest to play. The string tension is very high. My favorites are Soprano and Concert.
Click to expand...
I don't think that is necessarily true. it depends on the strings. you can buy strings for any size uke in different tensions. ex. worth makes tenor strings in light,med,and heavy tensions there will be trade offs in tone and volume
 
Last edited:
Aloha Joe,
If you cannot try before you buy, I'd really recommend you pass and find a place that does.....no sense wasting your money and you might be bummed out....Good Luck..
 
You should wait and buy one when you can go and check it out for yourself.
 
I agree with Stan that it is always best to try before you buy. However, I kind of agree with webby, too. I haven't heard much complaining about concerts in terms of playability - people with larger hands don't find it terribly cramped, and those with smaller hands can still manage the scale length comfortably.

The type of music you wish to play is a significant factor. I'm only speaking from my experience here, and my intention is not to engender a heated debate, but if you are going to play "island style" you may want a tenor. If you are going to be playing "vaudeville style," for a lack of a better descriptive, the soprano is great. Here again, the concert has some potential in either case, although perhaps not maximal potential in either one. Check out players on Youtube. When you hear a style of playing you like, determine whether it is most often played on a particular scale.
 
I play all three sizes and favor the concert as my main player. Soprano a little small, tenor a little large, but so what. Just a little practce and you are in the groove for a few numbers. Keep your favorite size for when you are going to play a lot at one time. Holding them both and choosing the one that feels best is always preferable, but it doesn't mean you can't get at least somewhat comfortable with all three sizes, even if you do have a favorite.
 
I would agree with waiting until you can play it. Not only from the size standpoint but also from the sound and look stand point. Two ukes of the same make can look and sound totally different.

Curb the impulse until you can do it in person. You won't reget it.
 
It turns out i dont have work now and can test which uke i like the feel of. So even though ive not actually learned a great deal on the soprano, do you still think taking a dive on a tenor straight away, will be a bit much too soon?
 
No matter what you get at this point, you'll be in a different place a few months from now. And a different one again a year later. It also depends on the particular uke. Some have wider nuts than others. I like at least 14 frets to the body, and I don't like the body too big to hold. Whatever you get now does not have to be forever.
 
It would be best if you could play a concert and tenor before choosing. When I bought my first ukulele, I played both tenors and concerts in the shop I bought from for three hours before picking out a concert. Ironically, I've since grown to lake larger scales (tenors and even baritones) much more than concerts or sopranos in terms of playability (I still have concerts and sopranos for that "plinky" ukulele sound). If you can't try before you buy, find out if the shop you're planning to buy from has an exchange policy.
 
I'm far from an experienced player but I do have all 3 sizes. I find changing from any one to another only feels weird for about 15-20 minutes. Its not that big a deal to switch between them. Buy the size/sound you want, you'll adapt in no time.
 
Joe90 said:
It turns out i dont have work now and can test which uke i like the feel of. So even though ive not actually learned a great deal on the soprano, do you still think taking a dive on a tenor straight away, will be a bit much too soon?
Click to expand...

Purely just one man's opinion.
I went from Tenor to soprano. It was no problem. Very glad you can go try them out. Fretboard length is only a small part of the equation. Tone is a huge factor. Find the one with the tone you enjoy best. When you are playing you won't be listening to your fretboard.
 
Joe90 said:
It turns out i dont have work now and can test which uke i like the feel of. So even though ive not actually learned a great deal on the soprano, do you still think taking a dive on a tenor straight away, will be a bit much too soon?
Click to expand...

I don't think it will be. I play all three sizes but I swap between tenor and concert the most. I have about a minute to two minutes before my muscles remember their spacing at times, but I also find that the more frequently I swap between sizes the less time it takes to adapt. I learned on a concert, then bought a tenor b/c I thought that was what serious uke players played. THen I went back to a concert when I got my koaloha and I wondered why I left it.

I really do not think there is that big of a difference between the sizes. If you can play one size, you should be able to play all the sizes. Regardless of how big or small your fingers are. It just may take some retraining.
 
Newportlocal said:
Purely just one man's opinion.
I went from Tenor to soprano. It was no problem. Very glad you can go try them out. Fretboard length is only a small part of the equation. Tone is a huge factor. Find the one with the tone you enjoy best. When you are playing you won't be listening to your fretboard.
Click to expand...

This is my opinion as well. But I have never thought to put it this way. You won't be listening to your fretboard. I love love love it.
 
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