How Should a Ukulele Sound, Really?… Do you remember what first drew you to the ukulele? Did you imagine someone playing a ukulele on a beach? What did it sound like against the waves crashing on the shore? Did you hear the melody float in the breeze? Ukuleles have a very distinct sound and there are differences between the various sizes of ukuleles. In this article, I will outline what the ukulele should sound like.
Anatomy of the Ukulele
The ukulele is made of different parts that contribute to its overall sound. When you look at a diagram of all the ukulele parts, you will see that the body is attached to the neck and the strings stretch from the headstock, down the neck, over the sound hole, and are attached at the bridge and saddle. Everything works in harmony.
The sound hole allows the vibrations of the strings to resonate within the body of the ukulele and then project outward. This enhances the volume and richness of the sound. Without a sound hole, the ukulele would produce a much quieter and less resonant tone. The sound hole also directs the sound outward so that it can be heard clearly.
The neck length can influence the resonance of the instrument as well. A longer neck can contribute to a fuller sound because the vibrating string length is greater, enhancing the resonance of the body. Longer necks typically provide better sustain due to increased string tension and better energy transfer through the instrument’s body. This sustain adds depth and richness to the sound.
Size and Construction Affect Sound
There are four main sizes of ukuleles: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. A soprano is the smallest with a 13-inch scale length. Because of its small size and shorter scale length, the soprano has a higher pitch than the other sizes. It is often referred to as happy and cheerful. Recently, I played ukulele with others and we all had different sizes of ukuleles. The soprano was very noticeable because of the high pitch but it can sometimes get lost when you are playing in a group setting because it just doesn’t have much volume or sustain.
The concert-sized ukulele has a 15-inch scale length and more volume and resonance than a soprano. The sound is bright and warm, yet still balanced. It’s good for anyone who likes to fingerpick as well as strum.
A tenor ukulele has a deeper sound to it. Its larger body and longer scale length give it a fuller tone with more resonance. This is great when you are performing or recording music.
A baritone ukulele is tuned DGBE instead of GCEA, so it has a different sound altogether. It is even deeper and more resonant than the tenor ukulele. It’s great for solo performances and has a guitar-like sound to it.
Check out the following video to learn more about the sound that each size ukulele makes. Terry Carter plays each size so you can hear the differences:
Other Factors Influencing Sound
Different materials will affect the tone of the ukulele. Ukuleles can be made from a variety of woods like mahogany, koa, and spruce. Each tonewood offers different sound qualities. Ukuleles can also be made from plastic like carbon fiber, as is the case with my Enya Nova ukulele.
Read more: What Ukulele Should You Buy?
The type of strings used on the ukulele will also influence the sound. This comes down to personal preference and it’s best to try different ukulele strings so you can find something you enjoy, that brings out the best qualities of the ukulele. Strings can be made from fluorocarbon, nylagut, and even nylon.
The tuning that the ukulele is played in will also affect the sound. Typically, ukuleles are tuned to GCEA, except for the baritone which is tuned DGBE. However, you can explore alternate tunings which will give the ukulele a whole different sound. It’s fun to experiment with alternate tunings. In this video, Terry Carter explores “slack key tuning” which is when a ukulele is tuned to Open C tuning instead of C6, making it a major chord when you strum. This is GCEG tuning instead of GCEA. The chord shapes will be slightly different when you strum. This gives your playing a fresh twist and sounds great with the Hawaiian style of strumming Terry shows in the video.
Personalize Your Sound
There are a variety of ways to personalize your sound. When you play, you can experiment with dynamics or the process of increasing and decreasing the strength at which you play. You can speed up or slow down, giving your playing a unique expressive quality.
You can also experiment with strumming and fingerpicking. Fingerpicking can give you a soft, gentle harp-like playing quality.
Conclusion
Have fun exploring your ukulele and the different sounds you can achieve with it. The ukulele is such a unique instrument, and it’s a joy to listen to its versatility.
Uke Like the Pros offers a variety of membership levels, courses, workshops, and more that are perfect for all levels of ukulele players. You can meet fellow players in the Community Forum, too. If you have questions about how to change up your ukulele sound, this is a great place to seek further information.
