Hey guys,

I am interested in learning to play a string instrument. Not seriously or anything, but just for fun.

I kind of think I'd like to learn to play a small stringed instrument, like a mandolin or ukelele.

Do you have suggestions between the two? Which is a better instrument or more fun to play, and why? I like both of them.

Or do you have other suggestions for a good small stringed instrument?

Thanks a lot!

those are probably the two smallest regular instruments i can think of.

the ukulele is like a smaller guitar, generally with 4 strings. the neck is a bit wider too which makes it easier to play chords. it's good if you want to play jack johnson style inoffensive frat boy pap.

the mandolin is more like a bigger violin, again with 4 strings but they're usually doubled. it's far more prominent in bluegrass and traditional roots music. great for playing lead melodies. the necks are really narrow too. rather limited in what you can do in terms of chords and 'fuller' sounds though.

personally i've never tried a ukulele but mandolins are pretty fun from what i remember. if it was up to me i'd take a mandolin just because it's really its own sound. a ukulele ends up sounding very similar to a small scale nylon string acoustic.

then again if you just plan on being the one guitar with a stringed instrument around a campfire the ukulele would probably serve you best. BUT if there are going to be a few other acoustics kicking around the mandolin will have you flying over everyone else and would lend a fantastic lead voice to the mix.