Oud Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

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.

Turkish Oud

Framed Canvas Wall Art

Turkish Oud Poster Artwork on Canvas 23×34 Wall Art With Black Aluminum Frame

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.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve created more than 2,000 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite oud player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Oud collection.

Find an Oud Online

Turkish Quality String Instrument Oud

Product details:

Mahogany bowl, spruce face, ebony pegs
High quality, beautiful instrument
Great tone, deep resonation, easy to tune
Plectrum and extra set of strings
Soft case for storage and portability
Two-year warranty certificate

Turkish Quality String Instrument Oud Spruce Face and Mahogany Bowl

Oud Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite oud player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

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D’Addario Arabic Oud Strings EJ95A – Set of 11 – Silver-Plated Copper – Medium String Gauge Oud Abstract Design T-Shirt – Middle Eastern Music – Great Gift for Oud Teachers, Students, Players Zaza Percussion – Portable Aluminum Oud Stand – Foldable Design with Crab Body and Footrest Folkways Records – Music for the Classical Oud – Khamis El Fino – Oud Virtuoso – 1964 – Audio CD