Jimwilson - 2-1-2011 at 07:40 PM
Hi,
New to these forums but good to see that there is a popular and well used place for the instrument! (which was there was the same english speaking
forum for the bombarde, dilruba etc)
Just a quick question to ask if there are any available books or online guides to different makams that are easily transposed into the various
tunings?
The only guide I found was in turkish tuning (B-E-A-D-G) with rough fret patterns and explanations. I will be playing mostly in (G A d g c) on a 10
string (I've played another instrument with this tuning so it makes it a little easier.)
I would like to know the best guide to makams and if there is a tablature similar to guitar/other stringed instruments that could be used to get
ahead?
Thanks,
Jim
Brian Prunka - 2-1-2011 at 08:38 PM
Welcome, Jim.
The tuning you use is common for Arabic music. (though you can tune the lowest string to F as well).
The transliteration most often used for Arabic is "maqam" not "makam", so you might find more info searching for that term.
for example:
Maqam World
Maqam Lessons
By the way, since the oud has no frets, there are no "fret patterns"! 
Tablature is possible on the oud, but rarely used (see: no frets!) There aren't that many notes to learn, so one might at well use standard notation
(higher positions are not used much except on the two highest strings).
With English-language resources somewhat scarce, transposing and transcribing are among an aspiring oudist's essential tools.