Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Ukulele
open-in-new
<p>The ukulele ; also called a uke (informally), is a member of the <a href="/facts/Lute/CQhyHry9">lute</a> (ancient guitar) family of instruments. The ukulele is of <a href="/facts/Portugal/lYzwDQ63">Portuguese</a> origin and was popularized in <a href="/facts/Hawaii/ImxFefeK">Hawaii</a>. The <a href="/facts/Tone_(musical_instrument)/2xIp3q8v">tone</a> and volume of the instrument vary with size and construction. Ukuleles commonly come in four sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. </p><p>Ukuleles generally have four <a href="/facts/Nylon/hBvG9bCw">nylon</a> strings tuned to GCEA. They have 16–22 <a href="/facts/Frets/5vzMbyET">frets</a> depending on the size. </p>