Ukulele looks like a miniature version of the guitar. They are becoming increasingly famous due to its size, price and ability to play a wide range of music. A lot of people are taking ukulele seriously, they even take proper ukulele classes to learn the instrument.
If you are fascinated by the ukulele then here’s a guide which will take you on a journey about how it works.
There are two parts in the ukulele which are primarily responsible for producing sound that is the body and strings. Let’s take a view at all the parts of a ukulele.
- Body: The body is where the sound is produced, so it’s the main part in a ukulele. It is divided into three parts, soundboard, the back and the sides. The soundboard is made of expensive wood as it is the most important part to produce sound. The back and sides, however, are made up of less expensive woods or even plastic sometimes.
- Strings: The strings of the ukulele are made of synthetic fibres. They are also made by combining the best of catgut and nylon.
- Bridge: It is attached to the front part of the ukulele and supports the strings from the bottom end. There are two types of bridges, the one where the strings are tied to the bridge, and the other where the end of the strings are put in a knot and is threaded through a slit.
- Neck: It is the long stick on which the strings are stretched over. Ukuleles have lighter necks as compared to the guitar.
- Saddle: A white, thin piece sticks out of the bridge known as the saddle. The strings rest on top of this saddle.
- Sound-hole: The round hole in the front of the ukulele is the sound-hole. It lets the sound out. Generally, it is placed under the strings, but it’s not a rule. The placement of the sound-hole, however, doesn’t have much of an impact on the sound.
- Fretboard: The wooden strip that runs along the neck, behind the strings is known as the fretboard. While playing the ukulele the players press down the strings onto this fretboard to produce notes.
- Frets: Metal strips that go vertically across the fretboard are known as the frets. Their role is to mark out the different pitches of the notes, as you go higher up the fretboard, higher will be your note. The dots on the fretboard are the fret markers, which makes it easier for the player to spot which fret is farther up the neck.
- Headstock: The role of the headstock is to hold the tuners. It is also used as an advertising spot by the uke maker to put its logo. It is located at the end of the fretboard.
- Nut: It forms the end section of the strings that the players play. The strings rest on the nut as they go from the fretboard to the headstock.
- Tuners: It is attached to the headstock and hold the strings of the instrument. By twisting the tuner, you can change the tuning of your strings.
Above we dissected a ukulele. If you are planning to take ukulele classes or already are taking ukulele lessons it is better for you to go through this information so as to reap maximum benefits out of your training. It is indeed an interesting instrument to learn and play.