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 MoreBaba Bahri
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 MoreSyrian Oud, Iraqi Oud, Cümbüş, Fretless Mandolin Show and Tell
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 MoreSidi Mansour Part 2 With Advanced Techniques
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 MorePlay Sidi Mansour
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 MoreSamai Bayati Al Aryan Part 4
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 MoreSamai Bayati Al Aryan Part 3 with Advanced Oud Techniques
As promised, we are forging onward and this means we’re going to learn the teslim of this Samai instrumental. The teslim is like a refrain, and repeats a few times during the performance of a Samai. It’s very catchy too. So if you learn the teslim, you’ve learned most of the Samai. This particular teslim is not that difficult because it uses a short descending repetitive melodic pattern that just…
Read MoreSamai Bayati Al Aryan Part 2 – Free Oud Lesson
Here is the follow up to last weeks free Oud lesson Samai Bayati Al Aryan with Advanced Techniques. It will complete the first “hane” of this Samai instrumental. Samai Bayati Al Aryan Part 2 For those of you who like notation, here it is! This is the 2nd section of Samai Bayati Al Aryan played on the Oud with advanced techniques. Turkish Samai pieces are very well organized. This section…
Read MoreSamai Bayati Al Ayran with Advanced Oud Techniques
I’ve had a nice break during the holidays here, but I’ve taken to another task which I’m sure many people are going to benefit from. I’ve had many people suggest that I teach how to play actual pieces in these free Oud lessons, and I’ve decided to finally begin that. I’m now satisfied that I’ve covered sufficient Oud techniques so that anyone who is new to the series can jump…
Read MoreDoubling Up Part 2
This article is all about taking a simple melodic passage and doubling up the notes played to spice it up. If you haven’t seen Doubling Up Part 1, check out it below. Doubling Up Part 1 Now I’m going to show you a simple level above what is shown in Part 1. This is Doubling Up Part 2. What you’re going to learn is one of the hallmarks…
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