Mike's Oud Forums

Good morning / New member

Alexi_OUD - 12-10-2012 at 04:56 AM

Hi, good morning, my name is Alexi and I am super happy that I found this website forum. Im Lebanese but born in Mexico City and have been living in San Diego, Ca. since 1982. I have been playing oud since I was 6 years old, so now for about 32 years.. I attached a small video clip of a short taksim of me playing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_69CkLU4sE

Its good to belong to this forum as I have been very pleased with all the posts and photos and videos I have heard.

Respectfully,

ameer - 12-10-2012 at 05:48 AM

Welcome to the forum. I like your style; very traditional and sharqi. Are you much of a George Michel fan? Your right hand technique reminds me of his early recordings, maybe with some Farid El Atrash influence thrown in for good measure.

fadel - 12-10-2012 at 06:49 AM

hi

Welcome to the forum

حياك الله

salam

Alexi_OUD - 12-10-2012 at 12:21 PM

Thank you.. Not too sure about George Michel, but I've grown up listening to Farid's style pretty much all the time.. I don't know if that was good but its always good to try to vary different technique and style.

Thank you

ameer - 12-10-2012 at 12:59 PM

Farid and George Michel had very similar styles; Farid was significantly more technical but in terms of their melodic development and right hand figures they were very similar. Here's one of the best George Michel clips to give you an idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h1x6jCy0OU

Alexi_OUD - 12-10-2012 at 08:54 PM

Very true.. and George plays extremely well too.. Thanks for sharing

John Erlich - 12-11-2012 at 09:51 AM

Welcome to the forums, Alexi! Nice taqsim!

Although you've lived in the USA since you were 8 (if my math is correct), the history of Lebanese influence in very interesting and goes back well over 100 years. I visited Merida, Yucatan, a couple years ago, and was very impressed by the influence of Lebanese culture there, even though most Lebanese-Mexicans there are now 3rd or 4th generation Mexicans, and are not fluent in Arabic (unlike the more recent immigrants in Mexico City). Many of the "regular" Catholic churches in and around Merida have shrines to St. Maron.

While searching for a restaurant for my family just north of downtown Merida, I encountered a building that was totally amazing, like some kind of homesick Middle Easterner's "Oriental fantasy." I will post a couple of photos.

Peace/Salaam/Paz,
"Udi" John

John Erlich - 12-11-2012 at 09:53 AM

And an interior photo of the "Moorish" building in Merida, with thanks to the hotel management company that allowed me in and let me take pictures!

Alexi_OUD - 12-11-2012 at 12:38 PM

You are right! There is lots of Lebanese in Mexico, specially Mexico City and Merida. By the way, the city of Guadalajara, Mexico the name is Arabic too, it means "Wadi L' Jarra". so I was told..

Thanks for the photo..

Jono Oud N.Z - 12-11-2012 at 01:13 PM

Hi.

Beautiful playing!:applause:

Microber - 12-12-2012 at 02:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Alexi_OUD  
By the way, the city of Guadalajara, Mexico the name is Arabic too, it means "Wadi L' Jarra". so I was told..


Oh yes, it's probably like "Guadalquivir" in Spain wich comes from "Wadi l'kebir", The Big River.
By the way, what does mean "Wadi l'Jarra"?

Alexi, very nice playing ! :applause::applause:

Robert

Alexi_OUD - 12-12-2012 at 05:31 AM

I believe wadi el jarra stands for river of clay. Since they have tons of clay and produce lots of pottery.