Ukulele versus Guitar

Round Three: Cool factor. The ukulele has made strides in the past 20 years with the advent of bone fide YouTube stars such as Jake Shimabukuro and Canada’s own James Hill. The guitar is a timeless sidekick to renegades and romantics. 

In today’s installment of “Instrument Cage Match,” let’s match Ukulele versus Guitar!

Round One: History. Ukulele means “jumping flea” for some reason, though closely associated with the American state of Hawaii, actually originated in Portugal. Guitar, as we know, originated in Spain and Italy as a five string vihuela, but it took the Germans to add the low E and bring it up to the current tuning in the mid-1700’s.

Round Two: Ease of use. Ukulele has four nylon strings and is easy to hold and carry. The guitar has its strings tuned in order and generally, through economy of scales, has better quality models at the entry level.

Round Three: Cool factor. The ukulele has made strides in the past 20 years with the advent of bone fide YouTube stars such as Jake Shimabukuro and Canada’s own James Hill. The guitar is a timeless sidekick to renegades and romantics.