The ukulele is a member of the lute family of instruments; it generally employs four nylon or gut strings or four courses of strings. Some strings may be paired in courses, giving the instrument a total of six or eight strings.
Instrument family: Guitar pick, String instrument, Pizzicato
Place of origin: Hawaii
Invented: 1900s
Related instrument: Cavaquinho, Plucked string instrument, Bowed string instrument
Classification: String instrument (plucked, nylon stringed instrument usually played with the bare thumb and/or fingertips, or a felt pick)