It used to be that the most popular ukuleles around were soprano ukuleles. Indeed, they were the very first ukuleles. But as time has gone on the larger tenor ukulele has become more and more popular. It has been used by ukulele superstars such as Israel Kamakawiwo’ole and Jake Shimabukuro. With their support, more and more people are looking to start their ukulele playing careers on a tenor ukulele.

What is a Tenor Ukulele?

The types of ukulele are divided by their size (specifically the playable length of the strings – the scale length). The tenor ukulele has a scale length of 17 inches making it the largest of the re-entrant ukuleles (two inches larger than the concert and four inches larger than the tenor).

As well as having a larger scale length, the tenor has a larger soundbox as well. This gives the tenor greater resonance (more volume and tone) than the other ukes.

What’s Good About Tenor Ukuleles?

The tenor is popular with solo ukulele players such as James Hill and Shimabukuro because it has greater space for your fingers – allowing for more highly skilled playing than a soprano.

The tenor ukulele – thanks to the larger body size – will offer you greater volume and tone. Although other factors (such as wood used and playing skill) will affect these, with everything else the same, the tenor wins out.

What’s the Downside to the Tenor?

One disadvantage of the tenor is that it moves away from the recognisable ukulele sound. It doesn’t have quite that same ping and fizz. It is a little more guitar like in its tone.

One the flip-side of the tenor’s suitability for picking is its decreased suitability for for strumming. Not that you can’t strum a tenor. It just doesn’t feel as natural as strumming a smaller ukulele.

If you have a budget of under $100, then your choice of tenor is likely to be very restricted. They tend to be more expensive than sopranos – even in the beginner range. So if you have a limited budget, you may have to start with a soprano.