Basics Soprano UkuleleThe Parts of the Ukulele
Ukuleles come in four sizes: soprano,concert,tenor and baritone.
A Soprano Ukulele is usually about 21 inches long. The Concert Ukulele size is about 23 inches and is tuned the same as the soprano ukulele.
The soprano ukulele is most popular and is probably what you have if you're not sure.
This book is designed for use with soprano ukulele and concert ukuleles and banjo ukuleles.
The Tenor Ukulele,at 26 inches long,is tuned like the soprano and concert except that the fourth string,G,is an octave lower, (Octaves are discussed in the section on music reading.) This book may be applied to the tenor with slight consideration made for the G string.
Baritone Ukuleles are the largest at 30 inches and are tuned similarly to the tenor ukulele but a 4th lower. Using this book with a baritone will require transposition,especially if you plan to play with other instruments.
How to Hold Your Ukulele
Stand or sit up straight (but not stiff)and support the body of the ukulele with your right forearm. This "arm grip" should be loose enough to allow you to easily strum the strings with your right thumb and fingers. Support the neck at a slight upward angle between your left-hand thumb and first finger.This grip should also be free and easy,to allow your hand to move up or down the neck to any fingerboard position.
Left-handed players may reverse these instructions,as well as restringing and tuning their instruments to be a mirror image of the diagrams. Many lefties decide to go ahead and play right-handed. This is OK-the left (fretting)hand has the most complicated job anyway.
