How Hard is it to play the Oud Instrument? – All About the Oud

Table of Contents

• What is the oud Instrument?
• Where does the oud instrument originate from
• How hard is it to play the oud?
• What kind of music is played on the oud instrument?
• Are there any famous Oud players?
• Is the oud easier to play than the guitar?
• How do you get an oud?
• What is the price range of an Oud instrument?
• How does an Oud differ from a ‘Western’ guitar?
• Summary:

What is the oud Instrument?

The Oud instrument is a pear-shaped, short-necked stringed instrument that originated in the Middle East. It has 11 strings and frets just like a guitar. You can find ouds being played in various genres of music from jazz to traditional Arabic music among others.

Oud players have their own unique style but most play with a pick made from plastic, wood, or tortoise-shell.

There are many varieties of oud such as the Turkish Oud and Egyptian Oud. There is even a santur which is like an oud but often has more strings and plays more like a dulcimer.

Where does the oud instrument originate from

Where did the oud instrument originate? The Oud instrument originated in Mesopotamia. It is still popular today in many Arabic countries because it has always been considered a traditional instrument that plays an important role in their culture. Many people prefer to play the oud over other stringed instruments because you can naturally bend notes when playing it just like a guitar can.

There are many reasons why the oud has been popularized in modern music. In 1948, when Israel was founded, it triggered a mass exodus of Arabs that made their way to Europe and America. Many of these people brought along with them their culture and traditions, including traditional music which eventually reached Western shores where it soon caught on.

Also, in the 1960s and 1970s, a lot of Arab musicians started to immigrate into Europe and America where they used the oud instrument in their music. This form of traditional Arabic music was not well received by Western audiences at first but it eventually gained popularity especially amongst the counter-culture movement. It is still popular today.

Another reason for the popularity of the oud instrument is that it has been used in Western music as well. Artists like Paul Simon, King Crimson and Norah Jones have all made use of this stringed instrument in their songs.

How hard is it to play the oud?

Learning to play the oud instrument is fairly simple and straightforward. You can learn how to play within a week or two even if you have absolutely no prior knowledge of music at all. This makes it an ideal instrument for those who want to experiment with different genres of music as well as those who want to learn an instrument that they can quickly incorporate into their music.

The oud instrument has 11 strings and is very similar to a guitar in its setup and playing style. If you can play the guitar, chances are that you will be able to pick up how to play the Oud in no time!

Also, instead of having to learn many songs and techniques like on other stringed instruments, you can easily pick and choose different techniques and songs and just learn the ones that you like.

What kind of music is played on the oud instrument?

Oud players have their own unique style but most play with a pick made from plastic, wood or tortoise-shell. It’s not so much an issue of what they play as it is the way they play.

When an oud player plucks a string, he uses his first finger to pluck on one of the three main strings and then slides that first finger up and down on different strings to achieve that typical oud sound. You must maintain this technique consistently throughout your music or risk losing whatever effect you were trying to create.

They usually play using the Maqam scale which is a very specific Arabic mode that uses mainly quarter tones with just a few semi-tones which allows the player to bend notes and give it their own unique sound. They also often use techniques like trills, vibrato, tremolo and slides in order to enhance their music.

Are there any famous Oud players?

Yes, there are many popular oud players. Here are a few names to keep in mind: Munir Bashir – an Iraqi by descent, he was raised as a Christian but later found his way into the world of music because of the oud instrument.

He is now considered as one of the greatest oud players in history and his music has been used in many films. He died in 2010 at the age of 83. Farid al-Atrash – a Syrian by descent, he is considered to be one of the most influential and popular oud players who picked it up while studying architecture at university. He was also a popular actor and his music has been used in many films. He died in 1974 at the age of 58. Farhan al-Abboud – a Lebanese oud player known for both his solo performances and for playing with various groups like “The Four Oud” band and “Mediterranean Blues Band”.

Famous Western artists who use the oud instrument include Vanessa Mae, Peter Madcat Ruth, Joaquin Lievano and Sabicas.

Is the oud easier to play than the guitar?

The oud can be a little complicated in comparison to the guitar because there are so many different techniques and styles that you have to master before being able to produce good music. The guitar is much more straightforward in terms of music-making compared to the Oud instrument. It can take years before you can get your hands on it and actually play something that is worth listening to.

How do you get an oud?

Ouds can be bought online and also at musical instrument stores, but some people prefer the experience of going and actually touching and feeling the oud before they buy it. The process of buying an Oud is very similar to that of a guitar where size and sound are two key factors that you would want to consider before making a purchase.

What is the price range of an Oud instrument?

Ouds can be as cheap as $100 but can go as high as $10,000 for one that’s more customized and made with higher quality materials. However, some people choose to modify their ouds to have a different sound, in which case the price will vary based on the extent of modifications made.

If you want an oud instrument, one of the best websites to visit is Uleemusical.com where you can find a wide range of ouds and other instruments at great prices! It’s also a good place to research and learn more about the Oud instrument.

How does an Oud differ from a ‘Western’ guitar?

First of all, the body shape is different with ouds being much smaller and also lighter in weight. They also don’t have as many strings as a traditional guitar with the most common number being 5 or 6 strings. Also, ouds are played using a slide which is placed on the first finger of your left hand because there are no frets to stop you from sliding off. You can also use this style of playing for chords rather than picking individual notes which makes it much easier to play complicated pieces!

Summary:

An oud is a type of stringed instrument popular in the Middle East and North Africa, especially Iraq. It is used for both classical and folk music as well as meditation and storytelling. The different Maqam scales allow players to produce a unique sound with their oud instruments.

Ouds can be bought online or at musical instrument stores and it’s important to consider factors such as size, sound, and quality before making a purchase. Ouds can cost anywhere from $100 to $10,000 depending on the materials used and modifications made.

Author Profile

Daniel Johnstone

Daniel Johnstone is an English writer with a love for stringed instruments from around the world.

He shares his love for these instruments through his writing for folkstrings.com, a website dedicated to all things related to folk string music.

Daniel's passion for music started at a young age, and he has since become an accomplished musician, playing guitar, cavaco, and recently, the harp.

His dedication to learning and sharing his knowledge of stringed instruments is evident in his insightful and engaging blog posts. Whether you're a seasoned musician or a beginner, Daniel's writing is sure to inspire and entertain you.

When he's not playing music or writing, you can find Daniel exploring new instruments and seeking out new sounds to share with his readers.

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