FAQs

What is the best cheap ‘ukulele I can buy?
Cheap is relative in this case, because you can pick up an ABC store ‘ukulele for $15 that is horrible. So, you want an instrument that will at least get you started instead of make you discouraged. Kala, Makala, and Lanikai are respectable brands that will get you started at a reasonable price ($40-$80). Competition between companies has eliminated almost all of the weak products.

I want to invest in a high quality ‘ukulele. What is the best brand/kind?
There is no “best brand” of Hawaiian made ‘ukulele. Kamaka, Koaloha, Kanile’a, G String, Ko’olau, etc. all make great instruments. Spending that much money on an ‘ukulele though, would almost warrant a trip to the islands (like you need an excuse) to shop around and try all the different makes. I have heard of only a few cases in which the buyer was not happy with the $1000 uke that he/she just picked up (and most of them were because they didn’t do their research and neglected to “go shopping”). Read the page on buying tips and check out the manufacturer’s web sites. Beyond the big Hawaiian made ‘ukulele companies, there are individual luthiers who do fabulous work. If you are looking for a custom instrument that says “Joe Blow” on the headstock, then the one man shop is probably going to be your best bet. You can find lists of custom luthiers on these sites: http://www.hawaiianmusichistory.com/ukulele/luthiers.htm, and http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12834

What is the best brand of ‘ukulele strings?
It depends on your ‘ukulele and preferences. If you like warm a sound, you might want to try Hilo, D’addario, or Ko’olau brands. If you prefer a bright sound you might want Worth, or Aquila brand. Another thing to keep in mind is that if your ‘ukulele sounds really bright, you can use a warm sounding string to mellow out the sound and vice-versa. Everybody has their own favorite strings, so if you ask you will get many different answers. Experimentation is the best way to find your favorite.

Should I get a high G or a low G string?
It depends. A high G is the traditional Hawaiian tuning and has the signature “plinky” sound. Jake and Troy are two popular artists who use the high G. The low G is a little more “new school” and adds 5 extra notes below middle C for a more even sound. Herb, James, and Brittni use low G strings. I recommend trying both to see what you like the sound of best.

What are the chords/tabs for ______________?
If it’s not already on the site I probably don’t know, but here are some great places to search before you send in a request (remember, guitar and piano chord names are the same as ‘ukulele chord names):

• Google – just search “[song name] chords” or “[song name] tab”. Sometimes you will need to add the artist’s name too: “[song name] by [artist name] chords (or tabs)”
• Tropical Storm Hawai’i
• Ultimate Guitar
• Chordie

Is there an easy way to play E major?
No, sorry. Try using different fingerings or playing just the top three strings at the 4^th fret. Practice is the solution for difficult chords.

What size ‘ukulele should I get?
Again it is a matter of preference. For a first ‘ukulele though, I would suggest one of the middle sizes (concert or tenor). This way you can get a feel for playing and compare your instrument to others that you play. For more on the different sizes read “’Ukulele Sizes”.

Any additions would be welcome.