Ukuleles come in four sizes: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. The first three are usually tuned the same (G C E A). The baritone is different: bigger, lower – and with its own tuning.
Size
A soprano ukulele is about 53 cm (21 in) long, a baritone about 76 cm (30 in). The neck is longer and the frets are further apart. For small hands that means a bit more stretching at first – for older kids, teens and adults it often feels even more comfortable. The best way is to try both in a music shop.
Tuning and sound
- Soprano: G C E A with a “high G” – the top string is higher than the second. That gives the bright, typical ukulele sound.
- Baritone: D G B E – each string a fourth lower than on the soprano, getting higher from top to bottom. It sounds full and warm, almost like a classical guitar.
Same shape, different name
Because every string is tuned down by the same amount, soprano chord shapes also work on a baritone. They just sound five half steps lower – so they have different names:
- The soprano C shape is a G on the baritone.
- The F shape becomes C.
- The G shape becomes D, the G7 shape becomes D7.
- The Am shape becomes Em.