Guitalele: mini guitar in ukulele size – Musik-Ebert Gmbh

A guitalele (also spelled guitarlele) looks like a slightly oversized ukulele but plays like a small guitar. Six nylon strings, the exact same chord shapes as on a guitar, yet compact enough for a backpack. If you play guitar and want an instrument for travel, or you're starting out with small hands, this is an interesting middle ground.

In this article we explain how a guitalele is tuned, why your guitar chords still work, how to get back to guitar pitch with a capo, and where it differs from the ukulele.

Guitalele

6 strings, guitar feel in a mini format

Ideal for: Guitarists who want to keep their chords and travel light

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Ukulele

4 strings, a quick start

Ideal for: Beginners and children who want to start with fewer strings

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01What exactly is a guitalele?

The guitalele is a six-string plucked instrument the size of a tenor to baritone ukulele. The name gives away the idea: guitar plus ukulele. Unlike the four-string ukulele, it carries the full six-string layout of a guitar, just on a shorter scale length. It's strung with nylon strings, like a classical guitar, which explains the soft, warm tone.

For guitarists, that's the decisive point: you fret the exact same chords and scales as on a full-size guitar. Nothing new to learn, the instrument is simply more compact.

koki'o G-LSPLRW Guitalele

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koki'o Fichte-Palisander Guitarlele G-LSPLRW

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The guitalele is not a compromise but its own answer to a clear question: take the guitar feel with you without lugging the full guitar. Once you understand the tuning, you can start playing right away.

Frequently asked questions

How is a guitalele tuned?

Usually A-D-G-C-E-A, a fourth higher than a guitar. The string intervals stay the same, so all guitar chords work in the same shapes, just sounding higher.

Can I use my guitar chords on a guitalele?

Yes, one to one. You fret the same chords as on a guitar. Due to the higher tuning they sound a fourth higher, but the shape stays identical.

How do I reach guitar pitch on a guitalele?

The simplest way is to transpose down a fourth in your head. Alternatively you can retune the guitalele lower with suitable strings, closer to guitar tuning.

What's the difference between a guitalele and a ukulele?

The guitalele has six strings and guitar chords, the ukulele four strings and its own chords. The ukulele is the quicker start, the guitalele is closer to the guitar.

Which strings does a guitalele need?

Nylon strings, like on a classical guitar. They provide the right tension on the short scale and the warm tone.