Learn to play ukulele : Ukulele Strings

Ukulele strings play an essential role in the quality of sound produced by your uke. In fact, the choice of strings is an important element in ensuring optimal sound and a pleasant playing experience. This article explores the importance of ukulele strings and reviews the various factors to consider when selecting them.

String quality

Although more expensive than standard (or poor) quality strings, here's why it's best to get good quality strings for your ukulele.

Sound

It goes without saying that quality strings offer much better resonance, while guaranteeing increased clarity.

Ease of play

But that's not all: your strings are also there to make your playing easier! Good quality strings, which are generally smoother and more comfortable, allow you to play longer, without tiring. Conversely, poor-quality strings can make playing difficult or even painful, due to excessive tension and/or a surface that is too rough.

Superior durability

Even if it seems obvious, low-end strings tend to break more easily and lose their sound quickly (if they have any at all), requiring more frequent replacements. High-quality strings, on the other hand, are more resistant to ageing, temperature and humidity variations, ensuring longer life and consistent performance.

Easier, better-maintained tuning

Tuning is a crucial step for any musician, and on stringed instruments like the ukulele, it goes without saying that strings play a major role. Although it may seem trivial, well-made strings hold their tuning better, reducing the need for frequent retuning. This is particularly important for beginners, who may find repetitive tuning daunting.

The different types of strings

There are several types of ukulele strings, each with its own characteristics and advantages:

• Nylon ukulele strings (pure or composite): they offer a soft, warm, round sound. Their natural resonance makes them perfect for playing traditional Hawaiian music. Their clarity is moderate, however, with a slight attenuation of high frequencies. Flexible and comfortable under the fingers, they are ideal for beginners. Generally less expensive than other types of string, they are unfortunately less durable than other materials.
  Examples of string sets: D'Addario EJ53, Aquila Nylgut.
• Fluorocarbon (synthetic polymer) ukulele strings: produce a bright, clear, projected sound, with good note definition. Slightly more rigid than nylon strings, they offer enhanced projection and clarity, with a focus on high frequencies.
  Their excellent sound projection makes them particularly suitable for pop, rock and folk music styles or live performances. More expensive than nylon strings, their main drawback is that they can sound too bright for certain styles of music.
  Examples of string sets: Fremont Black Line, Worth Clear.
• Steel ukulele strings: mainly used for tenor and baritone ukuleles, they produce a rich, powerful, metallic sound with an emphasis on mid and high frequencies. Ideal for folk, blues and concert use. They are generally more difficult for beginners to play, due to their rigidity.
  Note tha they cannot be used on soprano and concert ukuleles.
  Examples of string sets: Martin M600, D'Addario EJ98.
• Titanium ukulele strings: Titanium is a light, strong metal. Combining the brilliance of fluorocarbon with the warmth of nylon, these strings offer a balanced sound with an emphasis on mid-range frequencies. If we had to define them in a single word, it would be versatility. The downside is that they are more expensive than nylon or fluorocarbon strings.
  Examples of string sets: Aquila Titanium, Living Water Strings.
• Silk ukulele strings: These strings are made of silk, wound around a nylon or metal core. Their resonance is natural and balanced, with good harmonic projection. Very soft and comfortable under the fingers, they are however less resistant to wear. They are often used for studio recordings (like nylon strings) where a warm, natural sound is desired.
  Examples of string sets: Aquila Silk, D'Addario EJ53S.

String thickness (Gauge):

Just as there are several types of material, there are also several types of string gauge, affecting the overall sound of the ukulele, which we can group into the following categories:

• Extra Light” strings: These have the smallest diameter of all, making them extremely easy to play, but also the most fragile. They produce a delicate sound and should be reserved for players who prefer a very light touch and soft playing styles.
• Light” strings: These have a smaller diameter than normal, which makes them easy to play, as they require less force to be pressed against the fingerboard. The downside is that they produce a less powerful sound.
• Medium” strings: Versatile, these strings offer a good balance between volume and clarity, and are suitable for a variety of playing styles and ukulele types. Requiring a little more strength than the “light” strings, they are nevertheless relatively easy to play. The right compromise if you're not sure which string gauge to choose.
• Heavy” strings: Due to their larger diameter, these strings produce a richer, more powerful sound, with greater volume and projection. More difficult to play, however, they are ideal for more aggressive playing styles and larger ukuleles such as tenors and baritones.
• Extra Heavy” strings: These are the strings with the largest diameter. Ideal for experienced players seeking a very powerful sound, or for baritone ukuleles. They require a lot of force to be pressed against the neck, which can be very difficult for beginners.

The right strings for every ukulele size

• Soprano ukulele: Although the most famous of ukuleles is usually sold with nylon strings (soft, warm sound), it is possible to equip it with Fluorocarbon strings (brighter, more durable sound).
• Extra-light”, ‘light’ and ‘medium’ sizes are recommended.
• Concert Ukulele: Slightly larger than the soprano (but similarly tuned in gCEA), this model can also accept titanium strings and a stronger string tension. Although a “medium” set of strings is recommended, a “heavy” size can also be used.
• Tenor Ukulele: Larger than the concert model, it can hold strings of any material. Steel strings are often used for DGBE tuning.
• Baritone Ukulele: Tuned in DGBE, the largest ukulele is best played with a “Heavy” or “Extra-heavy” gauge.

Additional considerations

Before concluding this article, it's important to mention that your playing style will influence the type of strings you choose. For example, nylon or fluorocarbon strings are often preferred for fingerpicking, while titanium or steel strings may perform better for chord beats. String choice also depends on your personal preferences in terms of playing feel.

It's up to you to try out different possible configurations, while remaining reasonable (for example, it's really not advisable to install steel strings or a “heavy” drawbar on a Soprano!).

While there are a multitude of string brands, some are more renowned than others. The best-known brands are Aquila, D'Addario, Martin, etc.

Conclusion

The sound quality of ukulele strings is a crucial factor influencing the way the instrument resonates and projects sound. By understanding the sound characteristics of each type of string, ukulele players can choose the strings that best suit their musical style and personal preferences. Whether you're looking for a soft, warm sound for traditional styles or a bright, projected sound for live performances, there are strings to suit every need.
With good quality strings, you also greatly enhance your playing experience, which is what it's all about.

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