The Professional Standard
The tenor ukulele is the size of choice for most professional ukulele players and serious enthusiasts. At 26 inches (66 cm), it offers significant improvements in volume, sustain, and playability over smaller sizes while still maintaining the essential ukulele character.
Jake Shimabukuro, widely considered the greatest living ukulele virtuoso, plays a custom tenor Kamaka. The tenor's larger body and longer scale length allow for the complex fingerpicking and melodic playing that defines his style.
Rich, Full-Bodied Sound
The tenor produces the deepest, most resonant toneamong the three traditional ukulele sizes (excluding baritone). Its larger soundboard generates more volume and sustain, with pronounced bass response that brings depth to both strummed chords and picked melodies.
Many tenor players use Low G tuning (G3-C4-E4-A4), where the G string is tuned an octave lower than standard re-entrant tuning. This provides a linear, more guitar-like range that's ideal for fingerpicking and soloing.
Room to Explore
The tenor's spacious fretboard is a fingerpicker's dream. With wider fret spacing and typically 17-19 frets, players have ample room for complex chord voicings and melodic runs up the neck.
- Spacious fretboard for complex techniques
- Maximum volume and sustain
- Ideal for fingerpicking and solo performance
- Supports both High G and Low G tuning
- Preferred by professional performers
- Best choice for stage and recording
The Virtuoso's Instrument
Beyond Jake Shimabukuro, numerous professional players favor the tenor: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole recorded his iconic "Over the Rainbow" on a tenor, and Taimane Gardnerperforms her fiery flamenco-inspired pieces on a tenor as well.
If you're transitioning from guitar or plan to perform professionally, the tenor offers the most familiar feel and the greatest sonic versatility.