The soprano ukulele is a Hawaiian musical instrument but originally it was based on the instruments brought by Portuguese settlers to the islands. The soprano version is the smallest of four sizes that ultimately came to be called the ukulele. The sound today is considered uniquely Hawaiian.The soprano size ukulele was the earliest to be developed and is the smallest of the four main versions. The scale, or length of the strings is less than 13 inches, with an overall instrument length of 21 inches. The concert, tenor and bass sizes are larger by about two inches each as you move up the range.Tuning for the ukulele in the standard size us most commonly called a C tuning sequence. The G string is the highest, with C E and A one octave lower than G. Occasionally the performer will choose to lower the G to the same octave as the other three strings. Soprano tuning might also be in the D sequence, which consists of A D F# and B. The D-sequence is one step higher than the C-tuning run, so the resulting sound is somewhat sweeter in tone.Canadian performers and the Canadian school system use the D tuning system. This tuning system is often called Canadian tuning. The popularity of this style dates back to the upsurge in popularity of Hawaiian music during the early 1900s, which also made use of D tuning.In addition to the four main sizes of ukulele, there are related instruments in use today. A performer might select a banjo ukulele or a harp ukulele to obtain a specific sound. Lap steel ukuleles are another linked instrument used for richness of sound or for a specific sound quality.Very inexpensive ukuleles can be obtained for beginners to play. The cheaper versions are often constructed of wood laminates or wood ply. The soundboards might be spruce or other acoustic wood. If you want a much higher quality instrument, look for one hand made of mahogany. The Hawaiian specialty wood koa is also used for these highly desirable and very expensive ukuleles.A ukulele often looks much like a small acoustic guitar with its figure-eight style. Other popular shapes for the ukulele include oval, boat paddle, pineapple or square shapes. For those who want the experience, kits for building your own ukulele are available at very economical rates.A soprano ukulele makes a great starter instrument for a child because of its size. The short length makes it possible for small hands to master the chords. The plucked strings sound beautiful and the child can learn the concepts quickly.