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.
6 strings, guitar feel in a mini format
Ideal for: Guitarists who want to keep their chords and travel light
See all Guitarlelen →4 strings, a quick start
Ideal for: Beginners and children who want to start with fewer strings
See all Guitarlelen →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.
02The tuning: a fourth higher than a guitar
A guitalele is usually tuned A-D-G-C-E-A, a fourth higher than the familiar guitar tuning E-A-D-G-B-E. The intervals between the strings stay the same, the whole instrument just sounds higher. That's why your chord shapes work one to one: a fretted G major chord keeps its shape but sounds as C major.
This higher tuning is no accident. On the shorter scale, ordinary nylon strings reach the right tension this way, without going slack or snapping. The sound resembles a classical guitar with a capo on the fifth fret.
03The capo trick: back to guitar pitch
If you want to play with other guitarists or accompany songs in their original key, you can bring the guitalele to guitar pitch. There are two ways. The simplest: transpose in your head. A fretted E major sounds as A major, so you shift the chords down a fourth.
The more practical route for the campfire and accompaniment is retuning. Some play the guitalele lower, closer to guitar tuning, but then need to choose suitable strings so the tension stays right. For the standard case: fret the guitalele as usual and think a fourth lower.
04Guitalele or ukulele: 6 versus 4 strings
The ukulele has four strings and is the quickest way into the world of stringed instruments. Few chords, fast results, ideal for children and absolute beginners. The guitalele has six strings and therefore the full guitar range, which gives it more tonal depth and complete chords, but also asks for a little more practice.
Rule of thumb: if you've never played a stringed instrument and want something easy, the ukulele is often the start. If you already play guitar or clearly want to learn towards guitar, the guitalele serves you better, because the chords later transfer seamlessly to the full-size guitar.
| Feature | Guitalele | Ukulele |
|---|---|---|
| Strings | 6 | 4 |
| Tuning | A-D-G-C-E-A (a fourth higher than guitar) | usually G-C-E-A |
| Chords | identical to guitar | ukulele's own chords |
| Tone | full, guitar-like | bright, sparkling |
| Ideal for | guitarists, travel, small hands | beginners, children, quick start |
05Who the guitalele is for
The guitalele shines wherever a full guitar would be too large or impractical. Travelling guitarists take it as carry-on without giving up their chords. At the campfire or in a backpack, it replaces the bulky steel-string guitar.
For children with guitar ambitions it's a good path too: shorter scale, shorter distances between the frets, the same playing technique as on a full-size guitar. And for adults with small hands, the compact fretboard can be more comfortable than a full classical guitar. From the affordable mahogany model to the refined koa version, the choice is wide.
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?
Can I use my guitar chords on a guitalele?
How do I reach guitar pitch on a guitalele?
What's the difference between a guitalele and a ukulele?
Which strings does a guitalele need?
Ready for guitar feel in a travel format?
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