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Originating from Portuguese roots and flourishing in Hawaii, the ukulele has evolved into one of the world's most beloved string instruments.

The origins of the ukulele are in the late 19th century, when Portuguese immigrants from Madeira brought small stringed instruments such as the machete and rajão to Hawaii in 1879. Hawaiian craftsmen, such as Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias, and José do Espírito Santo, adapted these instruments, creating what became known as the ukulele. The name itself means "jumping flea" in Hawaiian, likely a reference to the quick finger movements of ukulele players. By the early 20th century, the ukulele had become deeply embedded in Hawaiian culture. It was later popularized worldwide during the Jazz Age, and again in the mid-20th-century folk revival.

Ukuleles are plucked chordophones belonging to the lute family. Traditionally, they are made from koa wood, a native species to Hawaii, although modern versions often use mahogany, spruce, or even plastic. They typically have four nylon strings (earlier, gut strings were used) tuned to G-C-E-A, although baritone ukuleles use a lower tuning (D-G-B-E). The instrument's tone and volume vary with size and construction, with larger bodies producing deeper, fuller sounds.

There are four main ukulele sizes. The Soprano is the smallest and most traditional, with a bright, classic Hawaiian sound. The Concert is slightly larger, offering more volume and a warmer tone. The Tenor is favored by professionals for its fuller sound and extended fretboard. The Baritone is the largest, tuned like the top four strings of a guitar, producing a deeper, mellower sound. Less common variations include the Sopranino, Bass, and Contrabass ukuleles. The typical playing range spans from C4 to A5, although extended tunings can expand this.

The ukulele is closely related to some other musical instruments, including the Cavaquinho (Portugal/Brazil), its direct ancestor; the Guitalele, a hybrid of guitar and ukulele; the Banjolele, a banjo-ukulele hybrid popular in early 20th-century vaudeville; and the Charango (Andes) and Cuatro (Venezuela), South American relatives wih similar construction and tuning. These instruments share the ukulele's portability and bright timbre, although each reflects its own cultural heritage.

The ukulele has been championed by several musicians, but five stand out for their influence: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, a beloved Hawaiian singer whose medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" became iconic worldwide; Jake Shimabukuro, a virtuoso known for pushing the ukulele into jazz, classical, and rock genres with dazzling technique; Taimane Gardner, acclaimed for her theatrical performances and genre-blending style, from flamenco to classical; George Formby, a British entertainer who popularized the banjolele in the 1930s and 1940s; and Grace VanderWaal, a modern pop artist who brought the ukulele to mainstream youth audiences after winning America's Got Talent in 2016.

The ukulele continues to inspire musicians and audiences alike, embodying both cultural tradition and modern innovation.

Below, we have assembled a collection of online resources for the ukulele. However, e-commerce websites offering ukuleles for sale may be found in the Musical Instruments section of the Shopping & eCommerce area of our web guide.

 

 

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