There’s something about the ukulele (properly pronounced in the Hawaiian style: oo-koo-lay-lay) that just brings people together. Maybe it’s the ukulele’s youthful, childlike voice that dreamily pulls us in. Or it could be the instrument’s lovely bell tones that take us back to a simpler time and place, even if we’ve never lived there ourselves. Whatever it is, the ukulele has enjoyed steady, sometimes extreme, popularity for over a century. From simple strumming to complex original pieces and arrangements of classical and popular favorites, playing the ukulele is a rewarding musical experience for beginners and mature musicians alike.
There are many sizes and shapes of ukuleles available, from tiny “pineapple” ukes to the largest baritone instruments, which are shaped more like classical guitars. Ukuleles are made from a variety of materials — from plastic to rare and expensive tonewoods — in innumerable colors and finishes. Some ukes are acoustic-only, and others have electronics that make them acoustic-electric for playing through a PA system. The question is: how do you choose an appropriate entry-level instrument? At Sweetwater, we carry many styles of ukulele, and they all have their particular advantages. Here are eight great ukuleles for beginning players.
Kala Learn to Play Soprano
If you’re shopping for your first instrument, then an all-in-one package like the Kala Learn to Play Soprano Starter Kit is always a sure bet. Soprano ukes are an excellent choice for younger students and players with smaller hands, but don’t be fooled by their size! This uke boasts a high-quality pairing of traditional ukulele tonewoods, being constructed of an all-mahogany body for a warm, rich tone that’s perfect for singing along. What’s more, the included quick-start guide, clip-on tuner, and tote bag give you everything you need to start your musical journey, and Kala even offers a comprehensive lesson guide via the Kala mobile app.
Fender “Inspired by Grace” Soprano
Fender’s “Inspired by Grace” soprano ukulele is inspired by Grace VanderWaal, a young uke player who took the 11th season of NBC’s America’s Got Talent by storm, winning it all and subsequently taking her skills straight to the charts. This uke captures Grace’s style and lively playing in a soprano-size package perfect for young musicians looking to begin their path to stardom and is backed by the quality of one of America’s most iconic guitar manufacturers. The all-black finish, gold tuners, and Telecaster-style headstock will surely appeal to musicians who want to stand out from the crowd. This uke’s all-mahogany body delivers classic uke tones.
Cordoba 15CM Concert
The next step up is the Cordoba 15CM. The name Cordoba is synonymous with high-quality nylon-stringed instruments, historically mostly guitars — but more recently, ukuleles as well. Cordoba’s 15CM concert uke is a masterpiece of affordable craftsmanship, with its strong, attractive, musically resonant quartersawn mahogany top, back, and sides. The 15CM features an ivoroid binding and a hand-inlaid abalone rosette that you’d normally find on a more expensive instrument. With its satin matte finish and chrome tuners with pearl buttons, the Cordoba 15CM concert ukulele will remain a favorite as a player progresses from beginner status to intermediate skill levels.
Luna Henna Dragon Concert
The Luna Henna Dragon moves up one size further from the soprano-size uke, sporting an eye-catching swirling dragon motif designed by UK henna artist Alex Morgan. While the Henna Dragon is undeniably a knockout in the visual department, it’s no slouch tonally either — the all-mahogany body and concert size offer a warm, full sound that’s sure to inspire. Plus, when it comes time to show off your skills, the Henna Dragon’s built-in UK-T2 electronics allow you to effortlessly amplify your instrument, making this uke an excellent choice for beginners with dreams of taking their tunes onto the big stage.
Lanikai LU Series Concert
Lanikai’s LU series is designed to provide entry-level musicians with professional craftsmanship, easy playability, and a lush tone all at a wallet-friendly price; the Lanikai LU series concert ukulele ticks all those boxes and then some! One of the few instruments on this list with a non-mahogany body, the LU series concert is constructed with an okoume top, back, and sides for a slightly brighter and more articulate tone than your typical uke. In addition, this ukulele’s wide, comfortable neck gives you plenty of room to feel out your first few chord shapes. Last, the included gig bag makes the Lanikai LU series concert a perfect choice for students traveling to lessons or for classrooms renting out instruments.
Kala KA-C Concert
The KA-C is a top contender in the concert-size category, giving you classic Kala tone and quality at a price anyone can afford! Kala is renowned for its ukulele craftsmanship. The KA-C’s gorgeous body, mahogany neck, and walnut fingerboard provide you with a comfortable feel and a beautiful sound that rival ukes at a much higher price point. Moreover, the sturdy die-cast tuning machines and ultra-stable Aquila Nylgut strings round out the Kala KA-C with a high-performance feel, offering rock-solid tuning stability.
Luna Starry Night Concert
What could be more inspiring to the burgeoning musical artist than a uke topped with one of the most iconic paintings of all time? The Luna Starry Night concert ukulele is adorned with a flawless graphic print of Van Gogh’s masterpiece The Starry Night with a blue-stained mahogany body and neck to match. While you might be tempted to hang this uke on the wall as a piece of art, the Luna Starry Night is first and foremost an instrument loaded with quality features to start musicians off with everything they need to begin their artistic journey. A pairing of open-gear tuners and Aquila Super Nylgut strings outfits the Starry Night concert ukulele with incredible stability. You even get a Luna gig bag to protect your uke’s finish during storage or transport.
Gretsch G9120 Tenor
A tenor-size ukulele, the Gretsch G9120 is the largest instrument on our list with a big tone to match! While the G9120 may be larger than the typical concert or soprano instrument, the 17-inch scale is still much smaller than a standard guitar and highly comfortable for young musicians and adult beginners alike. Plus, the large body size and all-mahogany body construction provide a deep, rich tone and punchy projection that complement vocal accompaniment of all styles. Finally, a genuine bone nut and saddle greatly enhance this little Gretsch’s sustain and resonance.
No matter what skill level you hope to attain, these ukuleles are the perfect first step on your path to ukulele mastery. If you have any questions about ukuleles, call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700.
