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Now Carring Ko'olau Gold, `Alohi & Manaha Tenor `Ukulele Strings

I'm using a low G set of the `Alohi strings on my main tenor and a high G set of Manaha strings on another tenor and really love these strings. I liked them so much I'm making them available right here on my site.

All Things `Ukulele by Curt Sheller

Welcome to my ukulele world.

Featured Ukulele TABs

Featured Ukulele Lessons

  • Which Way Is Up?

    Just what string is the top string on a ukulele? This lessons sets things straight.

  • The Major Scale

    An essential, core scale with a lot of music information within.

4Ukes(GraphicGray).png

Page comparing the four different sizes of ukulele
that are in common use today.

The ukulele (pronounced oo-koo-lele) comes in 4 sizes Soprano (sometimes called Standard), Concert, Tenor and Baritone. Tuned like the thin 4 strings of a standard guitar. The baritone Uke uses "G" Tuning (D G B E) just like the guitar. The Soprano, Concert and Tenor uses "C" Tuning G C E A and "D" tuning (A D F# B). The Tenor can also be tuned like the Baritone ukulele. These are the same intervals as the guitar's upper 4 strings, string 4 to 3 is a perfect fourth (P4) or 11th depending on whether using traditional high tuning or a more guitar like low tuning, string 3 to 2 is a major third (M3) and string 2 to 1 is a perfect fourth (P4).

A ukulele can be a mellow-mainland or bright-island sound.

Here is a desktop
picture I created on my Mac. Click for full size image.

Here is a whole collection of desktop pictures (wallpapers).

Woman is at a uke festival with a lovely soprano ukulele under her arm. Another woman walks up and gazes admiringly at the first woman's uke, at which point the woman holding the uke looks over and says with a smile; "I got it for my husband." Second woman nods and says, "good trade."

The Ukulele History

In 1879, a Braguinha arrived in Hawaii on a Portuguese ship loaded with laborers destined for the sugar fields. Hawaiians made the instrument their own and calling it "ukulele" which translates to "jumping flea," It is believed to have originated because of the way a performer's fingers jump around on the strings.

The Ukulele Timeline

  • 1879: Portuguese sailors introduce Hawaiians to small four-stringed instrument that gave rise to the ukulele.
  • 1915: Panama Pacific International Exposition unveils ukulele to the world.
  • 1920s: Ukuleles all the rage.
  • 1940s: Ukulele craze revived by GIs returning home from South Pacific after World War II.
  • 1950s: Weekly TV host Arthur Godfrey keeps ukuleles in the spotlight.

  • Current: Virtuoso musicians such as Jake Shimabukuro and James Hill are altering traditional perceptions of ukulele music.

Baritone Ukulele

The baritone ukulele can be used as a small starter guitar. Easy on little tikes hands.

With more and more children wanting to start guitar at an earlier and earlier age the baritone ukulele, which is tuned just like a guitar's top (higher) four strings, is a great starter guitar.

5, 6, and 8 String Ukuleles

The most common number of strings are 4. By doubling any of the 4 strings, 5, 6 and 8 string variations are common. The Kanile’a 'Ukulele web site has a page of MP3 sound files titled Sound Files @ Kanile'a 'Ukulele. Check these out to here how quality Ukes are supposed to sound. Nothing like your cheaper Ukes in most music stores.

Ukulele prices range from a few dollars for cheap plastic toy ones up to a few thousand for custom built ukuleles using the best woods in the world. Everyone should have at least one ukulele.

More info:

Uke Scale Lengths

Simulating Various Ukulele Scale Lengths

If you don't have any concert size instruments nearby to try in a store you can create the scale length on your tenor with an inexpensive capo. A capo on the second or third frets of a tenor leaves you with a scale length (and fret spacing) similar to a concert and the neck width at that level should be very close to that found on most concerts. And if you want to get an idea of what a soprano scale would feel like put the capo at the 4th fret and you'll be almost exactly at the standard 13 5/8 inch length. However the width at that point on a tenor will in most cases be greater than at the nut of a soprano.

“Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too.” - Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg

"Just browsing over both books, they look fantastic! I'm a guitarist and uke player for over 25 years and was thinking about writing a ukulele book but you've already written what I think are the best, most comprehensive and thorough books I've ever seen for the instrument. I just might end up buying every book you've written and I'll be giving my highest recommendation for your books to my friends and students. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such great books!" - Peter Rhee

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Content is always being added and updated. So check-in often. Curt Sheller

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“Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too.” - - Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg

“I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books -- I have four of them and they are excelent.” - fatveg - Portland

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