We are following up last week’s drone technique video with a technique that will help you embellish your melody and help you sound like a pro, I call it… Bass Note Jumping. This technique is widely used by professional Oud players and in theory is very easy, it just takes some practice to get the right intonation. I was actually specifically asked by someone to discuss this technique a…
Read MoreDIY Oud Risha
Here is a video about constructing and shaping an Oud Risha / pick / mizrab. We showed three types of Oud mizrab material namely, Talonite, Mizrite, and cable ties. Things you’ll need: 1 piece coarse sand paper 1 piece fine sand paper Oud mizrab blanks or heavy duty cable ties from your hardware store. A few important things to remember: Use coarse sandpaper to create the main shape…
Read MoreOud Picks : The Ultimate Oud Buyers’ Guide Part 5
Part 5: Oud Picks The final accessory required to get you started on the Oud is an Oud pick. It called mezraab/mizrap in Farsi and Turkish and Reesha in Arabic. Whatever you call it, you’re going to need a good one. Don’t go cutting up your old yogurt containers yet, there are much better options out there! The mezraab is long and thin. It is held not only by the fingers…
Read MoreTypes of Ouds : The Ultimate Oud Buyers’ Guide Part 1
Looking to buy an Oud? There is a lot of information about Ouds out there, and it is all over the place. So I decided to put it all in one place here with pictures and infographics and call it the Ultimate Oud Buyers’ Guide! Whether you are entering the world of Ouds or you have played it for some time, read this 5-part Ultimate Oud Buyers’ Guide…
Read More10 Reasons to Learn Oud Now
So you want to know more about the Oud, but not sure what to expect? Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned musician, here are some good reasons why you should learn Oud and start playing from today. 1.) The Oud is the progenitor of the Guitar The Oud is the grandfather of the modern Guitar. The Guitar that everyone loves so dearly today was descended…
Read More6 Tips on How to Make Your Oud Sound Better
This article will address some of the specific issues beginners have with their Ouds that determine how and why their Oud sounds the way it does. Some of these things may not be necessarily ‘bad’ things, but may explain why you are not hearing a particular sound you may be hearing in recordings of different Oud players. 1.) Tune that puppy up. Most Ouds have 5 paired…
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