Back Ukelele Afrikaans أكلال Arabic Ukulele Azerbaijani Ukelele BCL Укулеле Bulgarian Ukulele Catalan ᎭᏩᏱ ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏍᏗ CHR Ukulele Czech Iwcalili Welsh Ukulele Danish
 Martin 3K Ukulele | |
| String instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Stringed instrument (plucked, nylon-stringed instrument usually played with the bare thumb and/or fingertips, or a felt pick) |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 321.322 (Composite chordophone) |
| Developed | 19th century in Hawaii (introduced by the Portuguese) |
| Playing range | |
| C4–A5 (C6 tuning) | |
| Related instruments | |
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| Sound sample | |
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Soprano ukulele being played | |
The ukulele (/ˌjuːkəˈleɪli/ yoo-kə-LAY-lee; from Hawaiian: ʻukulele [ˈʔukuˈlɛlɛ]), also called a uke, is a member of the lute family of instruments of Portuguese origin and popularized in Hawaii. The tone and volume of the instrument vary with size and construction. Ukuleles commonly come in four sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone.
Unlike their musical cousin, the six-stringed guitar, ukuleles generally employ four strings,[1][2][3], made of nylon and tuned to GCEA. They also have fewer frets—16 to 22, depending on the size.
- ^ Erich M. von Hornbostel & Curt Sachs, "Classification of Musical Instruments: Translated from the Original German by Anthony Baines and Klaus P. Wachsmann." The Galpin Society Journal 14, 1961: 3–29.
- ^ "Ukulele". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
- ^ "ukulele". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)