I came across a group of people of all ages, playing the ukulele outside when visiting a town near me last weekend. The music they were making was great, I spent about fifteen minutes listening to them before moving on. What a happy little group.
Since then I have been thinking, what a nice little instrument to learn to play and have been doing a bit of googling, seems there are four different types, concert being the smallest, soprano, tenor and baritone being the largest.
First three I believe are tuned from fourth string, G, C, E and A with that bottom G actually the G above the open C string to help bring out the tone of the instrument.
I am tempted if I do actually buy a Uke to go with the baritone that is tuned to the top four strings of the guitar, and coming from the guitar would make it a bit easier. The others would be ok too as a lot of the chord shapes as the same as the guitar I believe.
I do want to mess around with some melodic stuff, playing a few melodies so another reason to go with the baritone.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
With a uke tuned to G_C_E_A the fingering is the same as a guitar but the chord name is a 4th higher than the guitar chord name, i.e. a uke fingered like a guitar G chord is a C uke chord. See chart below:
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Yep, I have a couple to strum on, and they're fun.
As you mentioned, the baritone is tuned the same as the top four strings on a guitar. The soprano has a different tuning, but if you're a guitarist it's the same fingering, just different pitches.
I've also got a Hadean UKB-22 NM bass, which is essentially a knock-off of the U-Bass. Thick silicone strings on a ukulele-sized body. Great if you're looking for an electrified upright bass sound without all the baggage or cost! Plus, it's fun looking at people's faces when I play it and they hear the sound that comes out.
My first stringed instrument was a uke, bought in 1968 in Matchetts, Belfast, for the princely sum of 1 UK pound. I currently tutor a small group in U3A at Gransha, 11.30 a.m. Mondays. A couple of weeks ago we entertained about 50 OAPs on a train trip to Coleraine as part of Positive Ageing Month promoted by local GPs. We also have an upcoming gig as part of the Guildhall Christmas Craft Fair.
The naming is determined by scale length (distance from nut to bridge saddle) Soprano-14", Concert-15", Tenor-17", Baritone-19". These measurements can vary but are a reasonable guide. The original instrument was Soprano sized and was a Hawaiian version of a small instrument brought over by Portuguese migrants ( Machete ) You are correct about the tuning intervals though in the early 1900s, a D F# B was considered standard. With g C E A tuning your guitar D chord becomes G, F becomes Bb, etc. As Mario said everything is a fourth up. The octave higher 4th string is called re-entrant tuning and is what gives ukes their distinctive sound. For melody linear tuning would give you greater range than re-entrant, but you lose the distinct sound. In my opinion Baritones can sound like a typical small guitar marketed for children, they're neither one thing nor the other. I would recommend nothing bigger than a Tenor, but bear in mind that the only scale for gentlemen is Soprano
Since we are in the same neck of the woods, why not drop in and see us on a Monday session.
Good Luck Vintage
re the Song book you mentioned, I've seen that and several others, all of varying accuracy. These seem to be put together by people "copy and pasting" from various sites without any checking or editing. I would recommend Jim's Ukulele and Guitar Songs, https://ozbcoz.com/Songs/index.php# as a good source to compile your own song book from.
Last edited by VintageGibson; 10/21/2306:54 PM. Reason: additional info
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Bought my wife one, she was learning. I picked it up and was playing in no time. easy to learn chords. sounds great. I nice KOA body and built in electronics. great to sing along to. I might learn it a little better.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
I've got one. I've also got a mandolin. I tend to play the mandolin more.
A friend of mine has a mandolin and his wife got interested in learning to play an instrument and decided on the ukulele. She's in a ukulele band and they go out to different events and perform.
Maybe I should tune up the uke and give it a shot. Maybe not.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
I kind-of play a uke. I started a few months back and persuaded Sue also to have a go. She always protests "but I can't read music, you know that!". For the record, I'm also pretty poor at reading. You don't have to read to be able to strum chords and sing along.
So we both do a bit; we go to a local ukulele jam session and it's quite good fun. We tried here to get a local U3A group going, but with too few takers.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Thanks a lot folks for all the replies which were very helpful. Looks like the Uke is getting even more popular, and is fun to learn and play.
Now if I didn't hear that group playing I wouldn't be even asking for advice or even thinking of buying one. So it seems the groups themselves are even making the Uke more popular by just going out to perform.
When you think about it how often do you see a group of thirty or forty people in a public place playing only guitars.
Vintage has given some good advice and I will now buy a tenor rather than a baritone, I can see the point its neither a guitar or standard ukulele and will sound differently to a standard Uke with its guitar like tuning.
Its great to know there are classes where I live, so definitely will be keeping that in mind, thanks a lot for the invite.
Now back to browsing ukes on Amazon, not the greatest I know for delivering instruments well packed.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Vintage has given some good advice and I will now buy a tenor rather than a baritone, I can see the point its neither a guitar or standard ukulele and will sound differently to a standard Uke with its guitar like tuning.
I'd planned to buy a baritone, but visited the local uke sessions and tried several instruments. In practice I found both tenor and concert were generally OK and even soprano didn't seem too small for my rather chunky fingers (I have trouble with synth keyboards where I can play F#, G and Ab with just one finger on the G).
I ended up buying from a ukulele-dedicated store here in the UK, having been by the "we know how to set them up properly and we do set them all up properly" pitch. Their prices were reasonable, they didn't sell junk and postage was included. I used southernukulelestore.co.uk but I think others are likely also good. They have very useful video reviews.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Thanks Gordon, that sure looks like an Aladdins Cave of Uke's.
They go in and out of stock a bit, so the reviews aren't always up to date. Alex also runs a YouTube channel "Ukes with Alex". The other well specialist dealer I know here is WorldOfUkes.co.uk. I don't know if there's comparable in Ireland. A web search shows plenty of dealers and the like.
As a total beginner with ukulele I also find the playalongs useful. I rather like one on YouTube, aimed a children, called ukulaliens.
USGB.co.uk has good info and song-sheets. doctoruke.com ozbcoz.com gotaukulele.com enough :-)
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Hehe. FWIW, I personally always try to defer to the pronunciation in the original language/dialect for any word. The obvious exception is in Xhosa, because like most non-native speakers I just can't get those clicks to work.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
"Hehe. FWIW, I personally always try to defer to the pronunciation in the original language/dialect for any word."
Following that logic do you pronunce Paris as Paree, Munich as Munchen or Minga in Bavarian dialect? Try this placename for a laugh; Ahoghill.
Musiclover, check out gotaukulele.com. Baz is UK based and has been reviewing ukes for a few years and seems pretty honest in his reviews. He also has a few articles on what to look for and what to avoid.
Got a £50 tenor arriving from Amazon tomorrow, not a big outlay and I'll see how I get on with it. Can always get a better one if I decide it's worthwhile.
I have got a few good deals in guitars from Amazon in the past, good enough playable instruments, only caveat is Amazon simply don't know how to package an instrument, they will more or less send it in a cardboard box without any packing or bubble wrap and in a lot of cases it's in pieces when the buyer gets it, happened once with me.
So hopefully this cheapish one will survive the journey. Will have a look at a few Uke's on that website Vintage.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
"Hehe. FWIW, I personally always try to defer to the pronunciation in the original language/dialect for any word."
Following that logic do you pronunce Paris as Paree, Munich as Munchen or Minga in Bavarian dialect? Try this placename for a laugh; Ahoghill.
Well, there was a try in my sentence, but yes I would prefer to pronounce Paree and Munchen (though Munich of course is an anglicised spelling). I try. Quite hard. In reality there are several languages with which I sometimes struggle ... some Dutch words and many eastern European words, but I try. My guess on Ahoghill wasn't far from the online pronunciation I found, but I have to presume that was reasonably correct (aHOh'l)
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
While we're completely off topic, when I visited I was reminded by the local fraternity that 'Munchen' was the correct pronunciation, and I respect that they could offer their own help to correct my mistaken dialog.
A fantastic city, by the way. Absolutely enjoyable.
Now, back to the main program....
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Well arrived in one piece today better packed than I thought it would be, seems a nice little instrument has a mahogany body, very light, I was a bit apprehensive tuning it up, as I have never tuned anything up to A 440 before. Had a little play around with it, glad I didn't go for any of the smaller sizes than the tenor.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Looks pretty good. From the photo it seems to be strung re-entrant, if you decide to go linear you may need to widen the G string nut slot. Good luck. Vintage
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean