Learn taqsim…
Easier said than done…
This post is about the hard truth about learning how to play a taqsim on the Oud (or any instrument).
The reality is much harsher than anyone wants to admit.
And so, I made a video about the Dark Side of learning taqsim.
I want you to see exactly what you have to do to learn how to improvise or play a taqsim on the Oud.
If you’re not afraid right now… in the words of Master Yoda…
“Yea… You will be… You will be…”
But seriously…
This video has a lot of information in it. It may be a bit simple, but some of the ideas in here make connections to much deeper philosophical and perhaps spiritual concepts, but I don’t go into them. I just hint at where you can learn more about it.
Please comment on YouTube or here. I’d love to hear what your thoughts are.
Hi Navid,
I have never been a guitarist but have been playing Arabic oud for over 30 years. I appreciate your work, your earnestness and authentic transparency about what you share with your followers. I too have undergone the agony of finding the right oud; have bought many ‘wrong’ ouds, bad ouds, and like you, visited places and returned empty-handed. My last purchase 5 years ago was a Sukar oud for 300. which a friend carried from Syria. It is as you described, a reliable well-built oud but with limited tonality and not the best action for playing. I am very interested in the Pildirim Arabic oud similar to this sound the one being played by Tarek Jundi here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV0pSi8v8Zk
My budget, however, is $1,500. I tried contacting the seller as you recommended but he responded with a link to your site. Perhaps a linguistic barrier but can you help with this? Perhaps he cannot accommodate my budget but at least I will know. Please feel free to reply to my personal email. I would love to see if we can make this work. Thank you so much