The sound of the ukulele is so unique, and so readily identifiable, that mindless one-dimensional strumming can easily become the world's most irritating noise. Even the banjo or, god forbid, the bag-pipes can be less agonizing to endure. But pop performers, such as Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift, are now using the uke sparingly and judiciously to infuse their performances with interesting new flavors and textures ( Eilish even has her own Fender signature model). All very quaint 'n quirky, but what does this teach us? The Portuguese sailors probably favored the cavaquinho because it was simple to play and easy to stow on a cramped sailing ship. Let's face it, they would have struggled to smuggle a piano on board. King Kalakaua, and his court, found it irresistible because it was fun to play and sounds great. So, if you're looking for an instrument that sounds unique, is easy to travel with, and is impossible to put down then go buy yourself one of the best ukuleles in this guide. Are ukuleles easy to play? Now, what's that we can hear? It's a chilled hula band – the hypnotic beat of the Pahu drum, the otherworldly sound of a lap steel in full song, and the unmistakable strum of a ukulele. The fabulous little ukulele, what could be more Hawaiian than that? If you've always wanted a guitar but are unsure about the size of a three-quarters, or even half-sized axe, then a guitalele could be for you. Alternatively, if you're already a guitar player and you can't say goodbye to those two extra strings, then this could be a gateway to the uke.

Released by Yamaha a decade before the current uke boom, they're only just now becoming more widely available. Tuned to A, and without the re-entrant 'G', it really does sit perfectly halfway between guitar and uke, hence the name. The playing technique required is very similar, requiring very few adjustments. The obvious difference is size. Not only does the ukulele feel much smaller to hold but the fretboard is much smaller too, so allow some time for your fingers to get used to the tighter spacing. Their fun-loving vibe, and toyish good looks, mean that they're not always regarded as serious instruments, and unfortunately the world is flooded with cheap, poorly made examples. Choosing the right ukulele involves a nuanced understanding of factors such as tonal quality, playability, build, and affordability. We've rigorously tested a variety of ukuleles, ensuring that our recommendations cater to the needs of players ranging from beginners to seasoned enthusiasts, whether you're strumming chords by the beach or adding unique flavors to your studio recordings. Ukulele-tinged music may be most dominantly established in Hawaiian culture but during the early 20th Century the instrument found huge popularity in folk, jazz, and vaudeville.Soprano Design: Easy-to-play ukelele is crafted with a soprano style is the original uke size and most portable. 21" ukulele has a brighter, softer tone with less projection than larger sizes. Its scale length is shorter, with tighter fret space to provide ease for smaller hands and children

In terms of construction, the wood used to make a ukulele can drastically alter the sound of the instrument. What appeals to your ear will differ from person to person, but as a rule of thumb, 'darker' woods work better on the higher soprano ukulele, while 'brighter' woods work better on tenor and baritone ukuleles. The ukulele as we know it took shape in Hawaii, derived from an instrument called a machete that was passed on by Portuguese immigrants. It’s commonly found with four nylon strings and smaller body than the acoustic guitar. So, can you live without a uke in your life? For better or worse, ukulele music has certainly been a feature of our lives for the past 140 years but are you ready to make some? And are we ready to listen to it? But why would you do that, we hear you ask? Some say that centuries ago it was impossible to reliably manufacture accurate bass strings so a higher string was always used. Others believe that a high fourth string makes certain chord voicings easier to play. Whatever the truth, most of us would agree that it's a re-entrant tuning that gives the ukulele its unique, characteristic sound.The ukulele can be heard in a number of musical styles, from traditional folk music to modern pop and everything in between. Here at Andertons Music Co, we’re proud to offer one of the best ukulele selections in the UK. Our range includes offerings from Mahalo, Alvarez, Gretsch, Ibanezand many more, with modern ranges like the Fender California Series taking a step up in terms of quality. An instrument to inspire beginners of all ages. The Gear4music Ukulele is fun, portable and easy to play. With a quality build to stand the test of time, it will hold your interest throughout hours of play and practice.