Farid Al Atrash Taqsim Al Rabeea Part 4 – Finale!

Navid

            I was listening to this Album by the Classical Arabic Orchestra of Aleppo, Ottoman Arabic Classical Music. The first track is Samai Bayati starting with a Oud taqsim. At about 0:53 seconds, the Oud player plays the exact same riff that Farid Al Atrash played from his taqsim Al Rabeea… it’s not exactly the same, but it’s quite obvious where the inspiration for this comes from. In…

Read More

Farid Al Atrash Taqsim Al Rabeea Part 2

Navid

      Improvisation is a hot topic in Middle Eastern Music…   Improvisation is a very interesting topic in Middle Eastern music that demands a lot of study. Farid Al Atrash was one particular master of improvisation and known for a very distinct, flashy style. A lot of Oud learners struggle with this because often the concept of improvisation is very different in Western music. There is Jazz improvisation……

Read More

Farid Al Atrash – Taqsim Al Rabeea

Navid

        As you may know, I’m from Iranian background and I grew up in that culture in Canada. It wasn’t until about 8 years ago I started to really listen to Arabic music. Over that time period, I’ve really seen some interesting cultural differences through both music cultures. Iranians are expected to stay dead quiet until the end of a performance…   Iranian musicians and performers expect their…

Read More

Baba Bahri with Advanced Oud Techniques

Navid

    Folk songs are often the most simple and beloved songs in the Middle East. They are easy to learn often because they are repetitive. Folk tunes are often very happy and soul-full. They are timeless, and then never get old or out of style. They also teach you the most about musicality, in my opinion. And when I say “Folk”, I’m not talking about Bob Dylan or Billie…

Read More

Baba Bahri

Navid

  Want to learn a song on the Oud in under 5 minutes? Baba Bahri is the way to go. Not only can you learn a new song quickly, but you’ll also learn another rhythm. Not a bad deal if you ask me… Oh yeah… and if you like notation… Baba Bahri Baba Bahri is often found played as a medley with Sidi Mansour. Listen to the recording below and…

Read More

Syrian Oud, Iraqi Oud, Cümbüş, Fretless Mandolin Show and Tell

Navid

I thought it would be fun to do a “show and tell” video of some of the instruments I use. It’s nice because you’ll really hear the differences of these instruments back to back, and I speak candidly about them. I hope it will give you some insight into these instruments. I’ll be showing you two Ouds of different styles, a Turkish Cümbüş, and an Eastman Mandolin that I made fretless.…

Read More

Sidi Mansour Part 2 With Advanced Techniques

Navid

    It’s time to bring out the real North African flavor to this piece. In order to that, check out the video below to learn how to play some trills that use different notes in the scale. This brings out the pentatonic-ish flavor of the scale being used.   What’s this North African Flavor I’m talkin’ bout? I’m talking about the blues scale. It’s hidden inside the maqam being…

Read More

Play Sidi Mansour

Navid

  Who doesn’t know this song? This is a classic! And now you can learn how to play it on the Oud!   I didn’t start listening to the classic Arabic artists like Farid Al Attrash or Oum Kulthum… in fact I didn’t really get it or like it…   This is one of the first Arabic songs that I heard which got me more interested in learning Arabic music.…

Read More

Samai Bayati Al Aryan Part 4

Navid

This article is going to finish up our Samai Bayati Al Aryan free oud lessons. After watching this week’s video you’ve learned quite a bit of this piece. Watch out for the teslim… the teslim is played twice. The first time you play the teslim through the last three beats will join it up to the beginning of the teslim because it’s repeated. The second time you play the teslim…

Read More