Oud Facts

The oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument similar to the lute. It can be distinguished from the lute by its smaller neck and lack of frets. Both of these string instruments are regarded as ancestors of the guitar.

Ouds are commonly used in Arabic, Greek, Turkish, Persian, Jewish, Byzantine, Armenian, North African, Somali, and Middle Eastern music.

Modern day ouds are categorized as Arabic or Turkish, though the distinction has little to do with geography. Turkish ouds are popular in Greece and other parts of the Mediterranean. Iraqi, Egyptian, and Syrian ouds are popular throughout the Arab world, and are classified as Arabic ouds because of their similarities.

Lightly constructed Turkish ouds can be distinguished by their string courses, which are placed closer together. Turkish ouds are tuned a step higher than Arabic ouds, producing a sound that is taut and shrill. Arabic ouds are typically larger with a longer scale length. This produces a fuller and deeper sound.

More Oud Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called an oudist.

Notable oudists include Rahim Alhaj, Ahmed Alshaiba, Amer Ammouri, Anouar Brahem, Hamza El Din, H. Aram Gulezyan, Aarif Jaman, Saad Mahmood Jawad, Yuval Ron, Alan Shavarsh Bardezbanian, and Scott Wilson.

Angel Playing an Oud

Vintage Embossed Easter Postcard

Angel Playing an Oud Vintage Easter Postcard

Listen to the Oud

Performed by Ahmed Alshaiba

An instrumental interpretation of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” was arranged by Ahmed Alshaiba, a young musician from Yemen who now makes his home in New York City. The talented player is self-taught and likes to create a mix of eastern and western styles.

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Gawharet El Fan Professional Oriental Sun Egyptian Oud

Product details:

Hand crafted with a special design and decorations
Polished Walnut wood with a perfect finish
Amazing structure and texture
9 strings, with option to add more
Measures approximately 37 x 14 inches
Nylon gig bag for storage and portability

Gawharet El Fan Professional Oriental Sun Egyptian Oud Oud Back Detail

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