Concert Size Ukulele: What Are The Advantages

Of all the sizes of ukulele, the concert ukulele is often the most overlooked. The terms for the other sizes of ukulele are familiar to other people: soprano, tenor and baritone. But concert is slightly different.

The two most common size of ukulele for people to play are tenor and soprano. Each of these offers players their own advantages and disadvantages. But the concert offers players the perfect compromise between these two.

What is a concert ukulele?

Ukes are classified according to their size. Strictly speaking, by the distance from the bridge to the nut (i.e. the scale length). By this measure, the concert ukulele is between the soprano and the tenor ukuleles with a scale length of 15 inches (38cm). Making it two inches longer than the soprano and two inches shorter than the tenor.

What’s Good About the Concert Size Uke?

The concert ukulele presents a really great compromise between the advantages of the soprano and tenor ukuleles. It retains the traditional sprightly sound of the soprano and its ease of chord. And it also provides you with some extra space to move your fingers, allowing you to play tenor-style fingerpicking pieces a lot more easily than is possible on the soprano.

The concert is my number one choice of ukulele. I like to switch regularly between strumming and fingerpicking. This can occur often in the same tune. So I really love the concert ukulele’s adaptability.

If you have tried playing a soprano ukulele but found you need a little more space – as many people do – then the concert ukulele should be your next stop.

What are the Disadvantages of the Concert Ukulele?

There are some downsides to the concert ukulele. They tend not to be as available as tenors and certainly not sopranos. This means you are likely to have less choice when you buy than you might with the other sizes.

If you are looking for a budget ukulele, this availability is an even bigger problem. Most low priced ukuleles are sopranos.

Who Should get a Concert Ukulele?

If you have passed the beginner stage of playing and are looking to advance into fingerpicking and solo playing techniques, then the concert size uke is definitely worth looking into to. It should provide you with the perfect opportunity to do this.