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Ukuleles

About Ukuleles

The ukuleles are highly addictive and pleasant to play with. Their bright, sweet tones can make even a few chords sound fantastic. In contrast to other instruments, like the guitar, it’s also fairly easy to learn.

Unlike the guitars, ukuleles only have four strings. This makes them fairly easy to play and learn. Fortunately, four strings are enough to play a decent number of songs. So, if you’re trying to decide whether or not to buy a ukulele, just buy one! But you shouldn’t just buy any cheap one. You should make sure it is right for you. Many people purchase the first they saw on their search results and end up disappointed. Only after making the purchase will you realise that there were better ones for you. This article will tell you everything you need to know about them.

Different types of Ukuleles

It is not easy to find a ukulele that is for you in all ways. There are so many models with different sizes, materials, styles and labels on the market. But when you manage to find the right one, it can and will be a very rewarding experience. But the first step to finding out the right model for you is to understand the differences between four major types of them. Towards the end, we have also put some tip that will help you choose the best. There are so many types out there in the market that you will definitely feel confused at some point of time. So, go through the below guide.

Bass Ukuleles

The bass ukulele is a fairly recent advancement among this type of instrument. Recently, they have become very popular. Bass ukuleles have a smaller body than that of the baritone models. The strings may be either regular wound steel strings or the thicker strings of rubber or stainless steel to give the instrument a much more rounded and rich sound. Because of the deeper sound that these models produce it is common for musicians to use these as a replacement for bass guitars.

Soprano ukuleles

Of all types, the soprano type is the most common and well-known type. Interestingly, its sound is the one most associated with the ukulele. If you have a picture of ukulele in your mind, this is the kind that you’re probably thinking of. It is also known as the “standard” because the soprano is nearest to the initial scale. Among all four types of ukuleles, this is the smallest one when it comes to size. The smaller form factor can make it easier to play different chords because you don’t have to spread your fingers as much. However, people with large hands can find this difficult as well. The soprano is the way to go if you want to play the most traditional ukulele.

Concert ukuleles

This one also has a traditional sound signature similar to sopranos. But there is a notably deeper and smoother sound in the concert ukulele, and it is louder as well. The frets are also wider because of the size gap and will be a safer choice for those with large hands. Concert ukuleles are the second-best choice for beginners. Sometimes it can be more flexible than soprano ukuleles with their bigger size and clearer tone. It is tuned exactly the same as the sopranos. The common tunings are G C E A or A D F B.

Tenor ukuleles

Tenor ukuleles are larger than both sopranos and concert models. They deliver an even deeper and fuller tone than either concert models or sopranos. One of the reasons why the tenor’s popularity with professional musicians is rising is because of this unique sound characteristics. Unlike the soprano and concert, which use only the high G, the tenor can be equipped with a lower G string as well as a high G string. If you want a deeper sound, the tenor type is perfect. However, the soprano and the concert could be a better match if you’re looking for the classic ukulele sound or if you are a beginner.

Tips on how to buy Ukuleles Online

Regardless of the simplicity of ukuleles, finding the right type of them can be much harder than you might think. They vary from each other in size, sound quality, materials, features and more. Therefore, getting the wrong type can be an expensive mistake. That being said, it can be easier if you know what factors to consider in them. Here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for ukuleles.

  • Type of ukulele – First of all, you have to decide what type of ukulele you want. This depends on your personal preferences and skill levels. For beginners, it is better to choose a soprano or a concert ukulele as they are easier to learn and have the traditional sound quality. If you are looking for a unique sound, then you can look for a bass or tenor.
  • Solid vs Laminated wood – Generally speaking, solid wood panels give you the best sound quality and the most durability. More affordable models tend to have several thin layers of wood glued together and often topped with attractively grained veneers. While not as resonant as solid-wood ukuleles, laminate models tend to be much stronger and less susceptible to splitting and cracking, which in cold and dry climates can often be a problem.
  • Wood type – You might already know that ukuleles use a variety of different wood types. Common wood types are mahogany, mango, koa, rosewood, cedar, acacia. Koa is a tree that is native to Hawaii. Not surprisingly, most of the ukuleles that come from Hawaii use koa. Koa wood has a lovely texture, has a really warm sound and is just fantastic. Mahogany sounds a little quieter than a ukulele made from koa, but it’s still a decent option.
  • Price and sound quality – There are other things apart from the wood type and lamination that affects the sound quality of the instrument. These include factors like the quality of the stings, construction of the frets, and the tuning bolts. Practically, there is no way to understand the sound quality of an instrument than to listen to one directly.

If you are a musician, you will need many other things than just musical instruments. These include things like microphones, mixers, preamps, amplifiers, speakers, audio cables, instrument cases, instrument stands, and cleaning kits. You can find any of these easily using our shopping search engine. It will also let you compare the prices and features of different products and pick the best one among them. So, don’t forget to check out all the other amazing products from the Musical instruments category.

Question & Answer

Are ukulele and guitar capos the same?

Capos are a type of clips that musicians use to hold the strings of instruments like guitars and ukulele. This effectively shortens the fret of the instrument and shifts the notes one or two octaves higher. So, to answer the question, some guitar capos do work on the ukulele, but some of them do not. It really just relies on the capo’s style and how it clamps onto the neck of an instrument. Capos specifically built for a ukulele’s smaller neck would typically perform better than a guitar capo. But there’s no point in trying a guitar capo on your ukulele if you already have one.

Which ukulele should you buy?

Depending on how well you can play, and the nature of the sound you like, the type of ukulele that works for you will be different. You should stick to the soprano or concert ukuleles if you’re just starting to learn. These ukes have the classic sound, and they have a smaller form factor that makes it easier to hold and control the chords. As you get better, you may want to try your hands on a tenor or baritone ukulele. The height of the instrument is something to think about as well. A soprano or concert ukulele would be comfortable for you if you have small hands. A soprano uke can also be too small if you have larger hands.

Where to buy ukulele online in the UAE?

Ukuleles are one of the oldest instruments in the string family. And because of the fewer strings, they are way easier to learn and play than guitars. Even though they are simpler, that doesn’t mean that you can buy just anything. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to shop for ukuleles in the UAE. But one of the best places to find great quality instruments is Shops.ae. Moreover, you can use our retail search engine to find some of the best quality models for really affordable prices.

If you are looking to buy musical instruments online in the UAE, you are in the right place. There are more than 500 shops and brands that offer musical instruments on Shops.ae. These shops offer products from popular brands like Fender, Oscar Schmidt, Ibanez, Martin, Stagg, Dean, and Epiphone.

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