Midiplus
Mandolins
Now What the Heck is A Ukulele Guitar?
I keep seeing this sudden spike in searches for “ukulele guitar” everywhere, and it is pretty clear most people are not looking for detailed “ukulele vs guitar” guides or long lists of “ukulele and guitar differences.”
They mostly think a ukulele is a type of guitar, and I am writing this article to put an end to that lie.
TL;DR:
- Firstly, A UKULELE is NOT a small guitar. It is not even a special type of guitar!!
It is its own instrument with 4 strings (acoustic guitars usually have 6 strings) and a different tuning. - People say “ukulele guitar” when they see a tiny guitar-shaped thing and are not sure what it is.
- Sometimes they actually mean a guitalele (a 6 string “guitar-ukulele” hybrid) or a kids acoustic guitar.
- If you want that bright island (Hawaiian) music -like sound, you need a real ukulele, not just any small guitar.
Ukulele vs Guitar: What Is The Actual Difference?
Let us clear this up before the confusion worsens.
Strings and tuning
- Standard ukulele: Has 4 strings, and is tuned G C E A
- Standard acoustic guitar: Has 6 strings, tuned E A D G B E
You cannot just copy-paste guitar chords onto a ukulele and expect everything to sound the same. Chord shapes may look similar, but they produce different notes because of the tuning and shorter scale of the ukulele.
Size and feel
- Ukuleles are smaller, lighter and easier to hold
- The frets are closer, so stretches are easier for kids and beginners
- The sound is brighter and more percussive, not full and boomy like a big acoustic guitar
So when someone types “ukulele guitar” on Google, what they usually mean is:
“That tiny guitar-looking thing with a happy sound. What is it, really, and can I learn it easily?”
A Very Short History Of The Ukulele (So You Can Sound Smart Later)
From Portuguese instruments to Hawaiian ukulele
The ukulele started in late 1800s Hawaii. Portuguese immigrants brought small instruments like the machete and cavaquinho. Local makers reshaped them, local musicians adopted them, and the ukulele slowly became part of Hawaiian culture.
From island favourite to global pop buddy
In the 1900s and 2000s, the ukulele travelled into:
- Radio and variety shows
- Jazz and pop
- YouTube and indie music
That is how it went from “Hawaiian instrument” to “cute small guitar-looking thing” in online music culture. The guitar shape confused people, and the phrase “ukulele guitar” stuck in search boxes.
So What Do People Actually Mean By “Ukulele Guitar”?
When someone says ukulele guitar, they usually mean one of these three:
- A regular ukulele
- 4 strings
- Tuned G C E A
- Comes in sizes like soprano, concert, tenor, baritone
- A guitalele (guitar-ukulele hybrid)
- 6 strings like a guitar
- Tuned like a guitar that has a capo on the 5th fret (A D G C E A)
- Feels like a mini guitar, sounds brighter and higher
- Often marketed as guitalele / guitarlele / 6-string ukulele guitar
- A kids mini acoustic guitar
- 6 strings
- Looks like a shrunk acoustic guitar
- Tuned like a normal guitar
- Often wrongly called a “kids ukulele guitar” in marketplaces
So the phrase is messy. The product listings are messier. The instrument underneath is what matters.
Which One Should You Get As A Beginner?
Here is the simple decision guide.
- Choose a ukulele if you want
- That classic bright ukulele sound
- Fewer strings to manage
- Easy chord shapes and quick wins
- Choose a guitalele / 6-string ukulele guitar if you
- Already know a bit of guitar
- Want guitar-style chords in a small travel size
- Choose a kids guitar only if
- The goal is to learn proper guitar later
- You want normal guitar tuning in a smaller body
Quick Recap: So What Is A Ukulele Guitar, Really?
If you walk into a store and say “ukulele guitar,” the staff might show you:
- A 4-string ukulele
- A 6-string guitalele
- Or even a small children’s acoustic guitar
Now you know the difference between ukulele vs guitar vs guitalele, you know a bit about its history, and you know which one fits your plan.