Introducing: The Arabic Oud

Summary

In this special episode of 'Introducing,' the host ventures out of Western Classical music and explores the Arabic oud, a fascinating instrument with deep historical roots. Originating from the ancient Persian Barbat, the oud evolved over centuries and became a key precursor to the European lute. The host delves into the oud's unique structure, fretless design, and its use in Arabic maqams—complex scales that differ from Western music. Through hands-on experience, the host highlights the challenges and beauty of learning the oud, recommending some renowned oud players for those interested in exploring its rich sound.

Takeaways

• 😀 The oud is a traditional Arabic instrument that is the ancestor of the European lute.
• 😀 In 711, the Moors brought the oud to Spain, significantly influencing Western classical music.
• 😀 The oud is often referred to as the 'king' or 'Sultan' of instruments in the Arabic world.
• 😀 The oud's name, 'al'oud', means 'from wood' in Arabic, indicating it's a wooden instrument.
• 😀 The oud evolved from the ancient Persian Barbat, with the first version featuring four gut strings.
• 😀 Today, the oud commonly has 11 strings, which include five paired strings and one low string.
• 😀 The oud is played using a pick called a 'Risha', originally made from an eagle's quill.
• 😀 The oud's pear-shaped body has a unique bowl-shaped back made of wood strips, contributing to its distinct sound.
• 😀 One of the oud's most notable features is that it is fretless, allowing for sliding between notes and more flexibility in playing.
• 😀 The oud's fretless design is essential for playing the maqams, or scales, in Arabic music, which includes microtones not found in Western music.
• 😀 There are over 100 maqams in Arabic music, with some scales, like Nahawand and Kurd, being closely related to Western minor and Phrygian scales.
• 😀 The oud is played in a variety of musical traditions worldwide and is a versatile instrument in many genres.
• 😀 Although the speaker is a beginner, they highly recommend listening to skilled oud players, like Anouar Brahem and Naseer Shamma, for an authentic experience.

Q & A

What is the main reason the speaker is fascinated by the oud?

The speaker is fascinated by the oud mainly because it is the ancestor of the European lute, which became an important instrument during the Renaissance period.

How did the oud make its way to Europe?

The oud made its way to Europe when the Moors, inhabitants of northwest Africa, invaded Spain in 711. They brought the oud with them, which eventually influenced the European lute.

What is the meaning of the word 'oud' in Arabic?

The word 'oud' (or 'al'oud') in Arabic simply means 'from wood,' referring to the fact that the instrument is made of wood.

What is the oud's relationship to the Barbat?

The oud is likely a descendant of the Barbat, an ancient Persian instrument that dates back around 3500 years.

How has the design of the oud evolved over time?

Originally, the oud had four strings made of gut, and over the centuries, more strings were added. Today, the common stringing for an oud is 11 strings, with five doubled strings and one single low string.

What is the tuning of the modern oud?

The modern oud is typically tuned to C, two F's, two A's, two D's, two G's, and two C's, with all strings tuned in perfect fourths except for the F to A interval, which is a major third.

What is the role of the 'Risha' in playing the oud?

The 'Risha' is the plectrum or pick used to play the oud, and it is called 'Risha' because it originally referred to an eagle's quill. Today, players often use plastic, wood, or bamboo for the plectrum.

What is unique about the oud's fretboard?

The oud is fretless, which allows for infinite gradations between notes and enables the player to slide between them, creating a more vocal and expressive sound.

What are maqams in Arabic music, and why is the oud important for playing them?

Maqams are Arabic musical scales, with around 100 commonly used ones. The oud, being fretless, is well-suited for playing maqams because it allows for microtones and subtle variations in pitch that are not available on fretted instruments.

Can you give an example of a maqam and its characteristics?

An example of a maqam is Nahawand, which is similar to the Aeolian or minor scale. It is commonly used in Turkish music, like in the song 'Uskudara Giderken' played by the speaker.