Apple Using the GarageBand Jam Pack: World Music Instruments - Manual (Page 7)

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Hawaiian Ukulele
The ukulele was developed on the islands of Hawaii in the late 19th century, based on
instruments brought to the islands by Portuguese immigrants. It quickly spread
throughout the islands, and became Hawaii’s most popular instrument. The word
ukulele means “jumping flea,” and some believe the name comes from the islanders’
first impression of the player’s hands flying across the fingerboard.
The shape of the ukulele is like a smaller version of a Spanish guitar, with a figure-eight
body and a round sound hole behind the strings. Ukuleles exist in many different sizes,
but the soprano and concert-sized ukuleles are the most common. Both are most often
tuned to the notes G-C-E-A. The soprano is sometimes tuned a whole step higher, and
other tunings, such as Bb-Eb-G-C, are sometimes used to enable the ukulele to
accompany singers in different keys.