Is The Ukulele Just a Mini Guitar? Not Even Close!
It’s a common misconception that a ukulele is just a smaller version of a guitar, thanks to their similar body shapes and strings. Even one of our Kala team members’ kids recently exclaimed, “Isn’t the ukulele just a mini guitar?!” But the truth is, the mighty uke is an instrument in its own right, with a rich history, distinctive tuning, and a sound that’s instantly recognizable. Discover what makes the ukulele not only a star all its own, but also the perfect companion to the guitar and other stringed instrument ensembles.
A Little History
The Kala Pan Pacific Series, a tribute to the ukulele’s history
The guitar and the ukulele may be similar on the surface, but they come from different places. While the origin of the modern guitar is a bit fuzzy, the ukulele's history can be traced almost exactly to the late 19th century. Originally called the Machête (pronounced “ma-SHEH-teh”), this small but captivating instrument found its way from the tropical town of Madeira, Portugal down to the Hawaiian islands with migrant workers around the 1870’s. Portuguese woodworkers Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias, and Jose do Espirito Santo were three of these workers, and in addition to their craft of furniture making, all became self-taught luthiers, and began producing instruments that slowly evolved into the ukulele.
One of the earliest promoters of the ukulele in Hawaii was none other than King Kalākaua, the last king of Hawaii. With the support of this beloved “Merrie Monarch”, the next generation of ukulele makers began. Jonah Kumalae, one of these ukulele makers, was the one to introduce the ukulele to the mainland at San Francisco’s 1915 Pan Pacific International Exposition, not an hour away from Kala’s hometown of Petaluma.
With a history as special as the ukulele’s, it’s only fitting that the ukulele has its own special strengths and characteristics to match.
Sonic Character
Classic ukulele tone is easy to hear with the Kala Solid Mahogany Series
A telling way to see the difference between the guitar and the ukulele is to actually hear it! These two instruments, even though they have similar shape and design philosophy, are made with different "pockets" of a composition in mind. They can even work together for a musical experience greater than the sum of its parts.
Strings – Ukuleles usually use four strings, whereas the guitar generally uses six strings. These strings are also tuned in different ways, with the ukulele being in a higher octave. The standard ukulele tuning (G-C-E-A) contrasts the guitar's standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). This difference in tuning and number of strings greatly contributes to the instruments' unique sounds.
Tone – The ukulele's tone lives in a higher register than the guitar and is generally brighter, where a guitar is in a lower register and is generally more warm or full. This leaves room for a great synergy between the two, where the ukulele can play leads or solos, and the guitar plays rhythm—or vice versa. Because the two have distinct octaves they thrive in, you can get a rich, full spectrum sound without each instrument stepping on each other.
Resonance – Naturally, a larger body cavity leads to more resonance. This is when the note or chord "rings out" after it is initially played. Ukuleles with a smaller size can still get a respectable resonance, with a fade out (or decay) that’s more treble-forward (or high-pitched) than most guitars, which tend to be more bass-forward (or low-pitched). The smaller body of the ukulele also means a lower overall volume great for intimate venues and a softer-feeling performance.
Materials
Many woods that you might find in ukulele construction aren’t used often in guitar construction. These materials provide highly sought-after visual appeal and tone qualities for discerning ukulele players! Woods like koa and mango thrive in small-scale builds like ukuleles, but are less common on larger guitar bodies. This is often due to their high cost and tonal characteristics that are not typically desired on a larger instrument. Koa especially is tied strongly to the ukulele, as koa is native to Hawaii, and is highly valued and protected in Hawaiian culture.
However, ukuleles share many choice tonewoods with guitars, such as Mahogany, Spruce, and Cedar, to name a few. These woods are quality standards for a reason, and provide a great variety of sounds and are recognizable for the attuned ear.
Accessibility for All
The Learn to Play series aims to make the ukulele accessible to all!
The ukulele's varied size options are one of its greatest strengths. Unlike a guitar, which can be too large or challenging for younger players or those with smaller builds, the ukulele provides numerous choices for ease of use. Softer nylon strings mean far less tension than steel strings, which means less finger pressure is needed for getting a clear note or chord strum—something many Kala players have shared is helpful for mobility issues. The ukulele is also very easy to learn. Many chords only need one or two fingers to play, and a smaller fretboard means less travel between notes. If you struggle to start learning, we have your back with the Kala Learn To Play lesson series, as well as the Kala App.
Both the ukulele and the guitar are powerful instruments with unique sounds, purposes, and stories. If you’re a guitarist, maybe the ukulele is a new tool to add to your collection for expanding your creative output! If you’re a ukulele player, maybe you have an even deeper appreciation for this amazing little instrument. And if you’re new to the world of stringed instruments, the ukulele provides an easy to learn pathway into the space. Whatever your playstyle is, ultimately you don’t have to choose between the ukulele or the guitar. It’s not about what’s “better”, it’s about knowing the different strengths, and choosing the right tool for each moment!
