Folk & Plucked
Ukulele
The ukulele is a small, four-string instrument closely associated with Hawaiian music and widely adopted as an accessible first instrument around the world. Most ukuleles use a reentrant tuning, meaning the strings are not arranged strictly from lowest to highest pitch, which gives chord shapes their distinctive bright, compact sound.
StrummedFingerstyle
Hawaii
Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV via Pexels
| Family | Folk & Plucked |
|---|---|
| Region / context | Hawaii |
| Playing method | Strummed or fingerpicked |
| Number of strings | 4 strings (some tenor models use doubled courses for 6 or 8 strings) |
| Common tuning | Common reentrant tuning: G4-C4-E4-A4 (soprano, concert, and tenor); baritone ukuleles typically use a linear D3-G3-B3-E4 tuning instead |
| String material | Nylon or fluorocarbon |
| Construction | Small hourglass-shaped body, available in soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone sizes |
| Size range | Soprano bodies are around 53 cm overall length; baritone models are closer to 76 cm |
| Portability | Very portable — Among the smallest and lightest instruments in this library, easy to carry anywhere. |
| Acoustic volume | Quiet-Moderate — Intimate in volume, suited to small rooms and close listening rather than large unamplified spaces. |
| Musical contexts | Rooted in Hawaiian and Pacific musical traditions and widely used in folk and pop settings today. |
| Beginner learning curve | Approachable — Soft strings, a small reach, and simple chord shapes make it one of the more approachable instruments for absolute beginners. |
| Maintenance | Light string tension means fewer tuning issues over time, though nylon strings do stretch and need retuning when new. |
| Amplification | Acoustic by design; pickup-equipped models are available for stage use. |
| Practice environments | Quiet enough for apartments and shared spaces. |
Origin and Background
The ukulele developed in Hawaii in the late 19th century, adapted from small Portuguese string instruments such as the machete, which arrived with Portuguese immigrants.
Sources
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History
- Grove Music Online
Content last checked against our reference sources on October 14, 2026. See our sources and methodology page for how we research instrument profiles.