Soprano vs Concert vs Tenor: Which Ukulele Size Is Right for You?

Walk into any music shop and you'll find ukuleles in four sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. They look almost identical to a beginner, but they sound different, feel different, and suit different players.

Here's a clear, opinionated guide to each — and which one we'd actually recommend for an adult beginner in Singapore.

Soprano (the classic, ~21 inches)

This is the original ukulele — small, light, and bright-sounding. When you picture a ukulele in your head, this is the shape you're seeing. It's the size of a clutch bag and weighs almost nothing.

• Tuning: G-C-E-A (standard "high G")
• Tone: Bright, plucky, classically "ukulele-sounding"
• Best for: People who want the iconic sound, have small hands, or want the most portable option
• Watch out for: Frets are close together — adult fingers can feel cramped, especially for chord shapes higher up the neck

Concert (~23 inches)

Slightly bigger than soprano. Same tuning. A little bit more space between frets, a little fuller in tone, a little more volume. For most adults, this is the sweet spot.

• Tuning: G-C-E-A (same as soprano)
• Tone: Slightly warmer than soprano, still recognisably "ukulele"
• Best for: Most adult beginners. Our default recommendation.
• Watch out for: Genuinely nothing — concert is a forgiving, flexible size

Tenor (~26 inches)

Bigger again. Same tuning as soprano and concert. Now you're getting noticeably more volume, fuller bass response, and even more finger room. This is what most professional ukulele players use.

• Tuning: G-C-E-A (often with a "low G" instead — see below)
• Tone: Rich, warm, with real low-end presence
• Best for: Adults with large hands, fingerstyle players, anyone who wants the most versatile uke for performance
• Watch out for: Slightly heavier; less of the classic "tinkly" ukulele sound

Baritone (~30 inches)

The big one. Tuned differently — D-G-B-E, the same as the top four strings of a guitar. So if you already play guitar, every chord transfers instantly. But it doesn't really sound like a ukulele anymore — it sounds like a small nylon-string guitar.

• Tuning: D-G-B-E (different from the others)
• Tone: Deep, mellow, almost classical-guitar-like
• Best for: Existing guitar players, fingerstyle players, people who want something that sounds less "ukulele-y"
• Watch out for: Most ukulele tutorials and chord charts are for G-C-E-A tuning, so you'll need baritone-specific resources. Awkward as a first instrument.

What about "low G"?

Standard ukulele tuning is "high G" — the G string is actually higher in pitch than the C string next to it. It gives the uke its bouncy, jingly character. Some players (especially on tenor) swap to a "low G" string, which makes the instrument sound deeper and more guitar-like. It's a personal preference and easy to swap later. Start with high G.

Our straight answer

For an adult beginner in Singapore, we recommend a concert ukulelefirst. Here's why:

• Standard tuning, so every tutorial and chord chart works
• Frets are spaced comfortably for adult fingers
• Tone is warmer than soprano but still classically "ukulele"
• Plenty of volume for jamming with friends
• Affordable — good ones start around S$100

Choose soprano instead if you have small hands, want the brightest traditional sound, or really value portability. Choose tenor if you have large hands or know you want to do fingerstyle solo arrangements down the line. Skip baritone for now unless you're already a guitarist.

Can you switch sizes later?

Yes — and most committed players end up owning two or three over the years. The chord shapes, tuning, and technique all transfer between soprano, concert, and tenor (because they share the same tuning). A second uke later is an upgrade, not a restart.

If you're paralysed by the choice: get a concert. Then start playing. Worry about the rest in a year.