Which Is Better for You: Ukulele or Guitar? Find Out Now!

With the same amount of practice, ukulele is usually easier than guitar. You’ll get results faster… and maybe have more fun doing it.

• Table of Contents
• "Ukulele is just a small guitar"
• What are the string names of ukulele vs guitar?
• Techniques that are the same
• Switching between the two
• More than size
• Is ukulele easier than guitar?
• Can you play everything you play on a guitar on a ukulele?
• Price
• Volume
• Ukulele is easier to play than guitar for kids
  • size
  • strings tension VS fingers
  • number of strings
• Love factor: guitar vs ukulele
  • One lead singer/guitarist + one drummer / VS one lead singer/ukuleleist + one drummer
  • A guitar is like a dog
  • Credibility
    • Guitar is like tennis
  • BUT the ukulele is a fun instrument to attract the opposite sex
    • The ukulele intrigues
  • Guitar or ukulele to attract people?
• Which should you choose?
• Quick Comparison: Ukulele vs Guitar
• Conclusion

"Ukulele is just a small guitar"

I hear this all the time. Kids passing me on the street. Adults too.
Yes, the ukulele is smaller than the guitar. About 55% smaller, with 33% fewer strings.

But it’s not just a small guitar.

Because of its size, the sound is different. Higher. Brighter. To me, it’s the sound of a paradise island.

The ukulele is indeed a symbol in itself. Iconic, it is linked to Hawaiian culture thus to holidays, sun, being relax, and happiness.

To dig a little bit into history: Portuguese migrants brought to Hawaii in 1878 small guitar-like instruments. They made similar instruments, and the ukulele was slowly born in the 1880s.

The word "ukulele" come from Hawaiian, literally ‘jumping flea’.

So yes, it’s smaller than a guitar. But that’s only the start.

What are the string names of ukulele vs guitar?

Another difference between ukulele and guitar is their strings.

To go back a little bit to the ukulele specifications, it has 4 strings, instead of 6 for guitars. It is tuned in a different way.

It means that each ukulele string will produce different notes than the guitar's. A ukulele is most of the time tuned in G C E A (or sol do mi la). But guitars is generally tuned in E A D G B E (mi la re sol si mi), from the lowest pitch (low E2) to the highest pitch (high E4).

To be more specific the ukulele is tuned in G4 C4 E4 A4, and the guitar is tuned in E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4. It means that the last E (E4) of the guitar has the same pitch than the string E (E4) of the ukulele!

What does the number after a note means (for instance A4)?

The numbers after the notes are the octave of the note. Both the letters+the number is a method of specifying musical pitch. It combines a musical note name (with accidental: if needed - ♭ or ♯) and a number identifying the pitch's octave.

And here’s the quirky part: on a ukulele, the G string is higher than the C and E strings. This is called re-entrant tuning.

Generally, for music instruments, each string has a higher pitch than the previous one.

The violin is tuned G3, D4, A4, E5. G3 is the lower string. Then comes D4, A4. And finally E5, which is the highest.

It is true for cello: the cello is tuned C2 G2 D3 A3.

It is true for the guitar: E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4.

But for ukulele, it is not: G4 C4 E4 A4, where G is higher than C and E - then E is higher than C, and A is higher than A.

As we have seen, guitars and ukuleless are tuned differently.

Techniques that are the same

Some things carry over from guitar to ukulele:

• Fingerpicking: plucking strings one by one for a melody.
• Strumming: brushing the strings to play chords.

The feel is similar. You’ve just got fewer strings to deal with.

Switching between the two

If you learn ukulele first, switching to guitar later is easier. You’ll already know rhythm, strumming, and finger control.

If you start with guitar, ukulele will feel light and simple. You’ll still need to learn new chord shapes, but many skills transfer.

More than size

Ukulele wins here.

I take mine everywhere:
- Downtown shopping
- Dinner at a friend’s place
- A weekend trip by train or car

It’s so light. I can stop anywhere and play a quick tune. Ten minutes to wait? Park bench. A few chords. Instant joy.

The more you have it with you, the more you play. And the more you play, the better you get.

Is ukulele easier than guitar?

As the ukulele has two less strings than the guitar (four instead of six), it's generally much easier to play music and to play chords.

Most of the time, yes.

With two fewer strings, chords are simpler. You rarely have to mute strings. Your fingers stretch less.

When I tried guitar after years of ukulele, I noticed that many basic guitar chords need muted strings. Ukulele? Almost never.

That’s why beginners often have more fun with ukulele in the early days.

Still, don’t expect progress without consistent practice.

Ukulele courses might help you

Can you play everything you play on a guitar on a ukulele?

Most of the thing you play on a guitar can be played on a ukulele.

You can play the A chord on a guitar, so can you on a ukulele. So main of the songs that use a guitar, you can play them with a ukulele. Of course, there are some exceptions.

Regarding classical acoustic music, the ukulele will have a smaller note range than a guitar. It might be a problem sometime, but it is always possible to arrange some music partition to play it on the ukulele all the same.

Price

Ukuleles are cheaper than guitars. Great news for beginners.

Volume

The guitar has got a bigger body, a bigger resonating box. It means that it will be generally, on average, louder.

However, the ukulele has a smaller body. It's thus more practicle to play it in a flat without disturbing your neighbours.

That said, electric ukuleles or electric guitars won't have a resonating box, so in both case, the music will be really quite - until you plug it into a big amplifier.

Ukulele is easier to play than guitar for kids

Ukulele is perfect for kids.

It’s smaller, easier to hold, and the strings are softer on little fingers.
With only four strings, it’s less overwhelming than a guitar.

size

Even if there are several sizes of ukulele and several size of guitars, the ukuleles are smaller than guitars. Thus many people think it's better than bigger instruments for kids.

It seems more approachable by kids. It's easy for kids to grab and take them around.

Many ukuleles look like toys for kids! Small, with bright colors, and sometime with a fun drawing on it. There are instruments nonetheless.

strings tension VS fingers

Guitar strings might hurt a kid's finger. If it does, do you think that the kid will willingly practice during the week? Even some adults are sometime put off by the discomfort!

However, ukulele's strings have much less tension, and are easier to push on, without getting hurt.

Here are some tips if the fingertips are soar Ukulele Finger Pain? Here’s How To Fix It! .

number of strings

Having 4 strings and not 6 means it's less complicated, it's easier to play most chords. No need to mute some strings (99% of the time), for the ukulele. It's another story for guitars. Harder. (For guitars, out of the 7 major chords - C, D, E, F, G, A - 4 requires muted/silenced strings. Whereas 0 requires that for ukuleles).

Love factor: guitar vs ukulele

Let's make it clear, the guitar is the best instrument if you want to attract guys or ladies

OK, when talking about it, opinions have been divided between cello, piano, saxophone, ukulele, viola and guitar.

But the instrument that came more often than others was the guitar.

Who's mentioning the bagpipe here?

Check out Chris Cornell (Audioslave, Soundgarden), Matt Bellamy (Muse), Lenny Kravitz, Jon Bon Jovi... All of them are amazing music players, but on top of that they have so much sex appeal.

Think about it. If you see a random dude being on a stage, playing guitar, you put him on a pedestal. His status is above anyone else in the room (apart from his follow musicians also on stage). He is the leader. The guy toward which each eyeballs turn to.

It's true on stage. It's also true when you are playing on the street.

Beside the emotion that you convey in the music you are playing, being able to play an instrument is associated with physical and intellectual abilities. It's also related to persistence, tenacity. If you've been persistent enough to learn how to play guitar (or ukulele), you've put more effort than others (who are not musicians).

The guitar is also a classic symbol of rock star status and this tends to imprint on a woman's mind the attractive concepts of wealth and status.

One lead singer/guitarist + one drummer / VS one lead singer/ukuleleist + one drummer

Imagine being at a rock concert, and the band is composed of one singer/guitarist, and one drummer. He's playing your favourite tune and you love it.

Now imagine the same scene, but with one lead singer/ukulelist with one drummer.

On one hand, you have the rock band status. On the other hand, it's a different feeling: the singer might be fun and cute, but not as virile (for men especially).

A guitar is like a dog

Wait, it's not what you think.

Essentially, having a dog help you break the ice with people. When you are walking your dog, it may go to people to get pet ; some people on the other way may approach your dog as they could find "It's such a cute doggy".

No need to use cheesy pickup lines anymore.

It's exactly what a guitar (or a ukulele) is: when you play on a bench in a park, or if you busk, people will approach you, come and talk to you.

Credibility

Guitar is like tennis

I'm not talking about the tennis' racket shape with which you can certainly play some air guitar.

Some people may say than playing guitar is more credible than playing ukulele.

Imagine a tennis player. Some are superstars.

Now imagine a field hockey player. How many famous field hockey player's name you know?

Although being a field hockey player is a hard task - you must train a lot, be fit, play well in a team, top tennis players will earn much more money and fame.

It's an extreme example, but it's somewhat the same for guitar players and ukulele players (even though in this case, it would be very intriguing for the crowd).

BUT the ukulele is a fun instrument to attract the opposite sex

To my experience, the ukulele is such a positive instrument with its unique sound, it gives such a sunny vibe that people love it.

When playing on the street, people often come to me. It makes me a lot more approachable. I don't have to go and chat with ladies, they come to me. I'm pretty sure that if I was a girl, it would be exactly the same.

So to my own experience, playing ukulele is a great instrument to attract the opposite sex.

Ukulele is a fun, good vibe instrument ; and it'll help you feel and reflect that.

The ukulele intrigues

Everybody knows the guitars. Everybody has seen a guitar concert at some point. Everybody has seen guitar player on the street playing their favorite jam.

But have you seen a ukulele player on stage? Have you seen a ukulele playing their favorite jam on the street?

It's more rare. That is why it intrigues people.

If it intrigues people, you will get more attention. You will get more people asking you about it.

And the more people comes talking to you, the better.

Guitar or ukulele to attract people?

Guitar is better as the lover image. But if you stand out of the crowd by playing ukulele or guitar, you'll have success. With a guitar OR a ukulele.

Because they attach you as something they already like (music, the ukulele/the guitar).

Because they admire you as as you've learned and work hard enough, and they only dream to do the same.

Because they like your music, the melody, and how you make them feel.

So grab one of the two, learn, and go out to play for yourself. People will hear your music, it'll be cool.

Which should you choose?

Pick the one whose sound you love.

If you adore the guitar’s deep, rich tone, go for it.
If you prefer the ukulele’s bright, sunny vibe, pick that.

Or… be like me, and start with ukulele anyway. After all, you’re here on youcoolele.com.

Quick Comparison: Ukulele vs Guitar

Here’s a simple side-by-side look at the main differences.

Feature	Ukulele	Guitar
Strings	4 nylon strings	6 steel or nylon strings
Tuning	G C E A (re-entrant, high G)	E A D G B E
Price	Usually cheaper	Often more expensive
Size & Weight	Small, light, easy to carry	Larger, heavier
Portability	Excellent — easier to travel with	Less portable
Sound (One of the top points to consider)	Bright, cheerful, island vibe	Deeper, richer, more powerful
Finger Comfort	Softer on fingertips	Can be tough on beginners’ fingers
Ease of Learning	Easier to start learning	Takes more time to get comfortable
Chord Shapes	Simpler, fewer muted strings	More complex, often needs muted strings
For Kids	Better for kids to start learning an instrument	Can be harder for small hands
Learning Curve	Quicker to start, easy to have fun fast	Steeper, but more range in the long run
Best For	Beginners, kids, travel, casual jamming	Rock, classical, loud performances

Tip: If you want fast progress and easy portability, go ukulele.

So, ukulele or guitar?
Both are fun, both sound great, and both can bring you a lot of joy.

But if you’re just starting out, ukulele is light, simple, and quick to pick up.
It’s perfect for learning your first chords and playing songs fast.

I hope I’ve been helpful today and given you some clear ideas to get started.
If you’ve never played an instrument before, the ukulele is a friendly first step.

Once you know a few chords, you can:
- Play along to your favourite songs.
- Jam with friends.
- Sing while you strum.
- Even write your own tunes.

The most important thing is to play often and have fun with it.
The more you play, the better you’ll get.

If you’d like to get to the next level, feel free to try a one-to-one free ukulele lesson with me.
Let’s make music together! 🎶

Conclusion

Starting your musical journey? Go for the ukulele.
It’s light, simple, and you’ll be playing songs in no time.

I’d love to help you get started.

Book your free ukulele lesson** today and let’s make music together! 🎶

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I hope this article helped you decide.

Have a fantastic day!