I am looking for advice in buying my first oud. I have been a middle eastern dancer for many years and would like to take up the oud to provide my
dancer friends with beautiful melodies to dance to. I am a woman on the shorter and rounder side and think a smaller oud or one with a smaller bowl
would be better for me. I know little about ouds except that they sound beautiful, and that there are two main varieties, Turkish and Arabic. I
think I am more interested in the Arabic style but would consider a Turkish if I found it to suit me better. I would like a less expensive oud to
start to see if the oud suits me before investing a lot of money in something I may not use. Perhaps $200-$300?
What kind of oud should I be searching for?
Are there any trusted online sources?
I am very near Dearborn Michigan where there are a lot people from the Middle East, does anyone know any good dealers in my area or for that matter
teachers?
If a can examine an oud before I buy how do I know it is made properly?
I doubt, that you will get a satisfying instrument for that price.
Quote:
What kind of oud should I be searching for?
First I would check out, if Turkish or Arabic is the way to go. I started by visiting Youtube and searched for "oud" and listened to as many oud
videos as possible to find out, what sound I like most. First compare Turkish to Arabic ouds and if you should find out, that you prefer Arabic ouds,
try to find out the differences between the Arabic models ... fixed bridge versus floating bridge, Egyptian versus Syrian versus Iraqi, etc..
You could also tune a Turkish oud arabic, but it won't have the typical arabic deep bass.
BTW ... women don't need smaller ouds ... only childs
Quote:
Are there any trusted online sources?
You could try Palmyrami ... they often sell Syrian Sukar ouds, which have a good quality and reputation. If you'll find out later, that the oud isn't
the right instrument for you, you would have no problem to sell it used for not much less money as you paid yourself.
But the price range starts at about 600$ (incl. hard case).
Another option would be to check the Sell & Buy forum, where you often will find very good instruments for a reasonable price ... that's the way I
chose and I didn't regret it.jazzchiss - 12-9-2009 at 01:40 AM
If you have short arms and little hands, you’ll be more comfortable with short scale ouds. This is not a minor matter. And for that budget, the best
option are Turkish ouds. You can search at ebay for ‘turkish oud’ but don’t expect a professional oud for less than 500$.spyros mesogeia - 12-9-2009 at 05:34 AM
My advice to you Halima is to get a smaller bowl oud and with string length 58,5 cm,
If I can help please inform me,it will be my pleasure
Regards from Gaithersburg
SpyrosAymara - 12-9-2009 at 09:02 AM
HERE you'll find tips, how to identify a good oud.spyros mesogeia - 12-10-2009 at 11:33 AM
I STILL BELIEVE THAT THE BEST FOR YOU IS TO START WITH A SMALER OUD.....TWO OF MY STUDENTS ARE 1,54 m AND THE OTHER 1,65 BOTH GIRLS.....AND WITH AN
OUD OF 61 OR 62 CM IT IS IMPOSIIBLE,THE POSITION IS NOT CORECT,AND THE POSITION IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE ANATOMY PROBLEMS.[I AM ALSO MEDICAL
DOCTOR].THE POSITION MUST BE CONFORTABLE.
REGARDS FROM MARYLANDalfaraby - 12-10-2009 at 02:00 PM
Sukkar makes 3/4 ouds as well for the same price
I think those would meat your needs
Good Luck !!
Yours truly
AlfarabyAymara - 12-10-2009 at 02:29 PM
