1. MUSIC 318 MINICOURSE ON PLUCKED STRING INSTRUMENTS
UKULELE

2. UKULELE
The ukulele originated in the 19th century as a Hawaiian interpretation of a small guitar-like instrument brought to Hawaii by Portugese immigrants. It gained great popularity elsewhere in the United States during the early 20th century, and from there spread internationally.

3. SCALE AND TUNINGS OF VARIOUS TYPES
Scale length[23]
Total length
Tuning
soprano or standard
13" (33 cm)
21" (53 cm)
GCEA
concert
15" (38 cm)
23" (58 cm)
tenor
17" (43 cm)
26" (66 cm)
baritone
19" (48 cm)
30" (76 cm)
DGBE

4. UKULELE BANDS
Kani Ka Pila Ukulele band

5. ELECTRIC UKULELE
UKULELES, LIKE GUITARS CAN BE EQUIPPED WITH PICKUPS SO THAT THE SOUND CAN BE ELECTRICALLY AMPLIFIED. SINCE THEY DO NOT HAVE STEEL STRINGS, MAGNETIC COIL PICKUPS ARE NOT PRACTICAL. PIEZOELECTRIC PICKUPS ARE MOUNTED ON THE BODY OR THE BRIDGE.
SOME SOLID BOY ELECTRIC UKULELES HAVE BEEN BUILT, BUT MOST OFTEN THE PICKUPS ARE ATTACHED TO ORDINARY ACOUSTIC UKULELES.