Mike's Oud Forums

Beginner Books

Gocauo - 9-14-2014 at 05:41 AM

So, after much searching around (on this forum and asking some other folks) these seem to be the most recommended books for newcomers/beginners to oud.

Does anyone else have any recommendations?

Playing the Oud

School of Oud by Mavrothi T. Kontanis (Turkish Oud)
ISBN-13: 978-0786682959

The Basics of Oud (Book and DVD) by Marina Toshich (Arabic Oud)
ISBN-13: 978-0786678631

Oud Method [With CD] by John Bilezikjian (Turkish Oud)
ISBN: 9780634077869

LEARN MAQAMAT on OUD: VERSION 2 by OudProff (ebay store)


Understanding Arabic/Turkish Music

Arabic Musical Scales - Basic Maqam Teachings [two CDs] by Cameron Powers
ISBN 13: 9780974588247

Makam: Modal Practice in Turkish Art Music by Karl L. Signell PhD (Turkish theory)
ISBN-13: 978-0976045519

The Maqam Book [one CD] by David Muallem (Arabic theory)
ISBN-13: 978-9655050530

Lysander - 9-14-2014 at 08:08 AM

Bear in mind that School of Oud is for Turkish oud and Basics of Oud is for Arabic oud. So really you should choose the book which is relevant to the kind of oud you are playing. I'm pretty sure that Marina's book says that even if you play Turkish you can downtune to Arabic and learn through her book in that way, but I chose not to.

Arabic Musical Scales will teach you the basics about maqamat intervals, though it won't tell you how to play the oud. However, I did find it an invaluable book when I started out.

Gocauo - 9-14-2014 at 11:15 AM


Thank you Lysander! Arabic Musical Scales was recommended to assist in understand maqam (which is why I included it).

I have updated the original post to include your information.

Gocauo - 9-23-2014 at 08:45 AM


Anyone have any other recommendations/suggestions?

DavidJE - 9-23-2014 at 09:03 AM

I'd recommend "Makam: Modal Practice in Turkish Art Music" by Signell (on Turkish theory) and "The Maqam Book" by Muallem (on Arabic theory). Neither book is specifically about oud, but both books are excellent in terms of understanding Turkish/Arabic music.

Gocauo - 9-23-2014 at 10:04 AM


Thank you for the suggestions DavidJE! Original post udpated!

newlife_ks - 6-21-2016 at 03:53 AM

Today I received my version of John Bilezikjian's Oud Method. Unfortunately it is written for armenian oud tuned E A B E A D! Not very helpful for my arabian oud. I just wanted to tell you to prevent disappointments . . . :(

John Erlich - 6-21-2016 at 04:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by newlife_ks  
Today I received my version of John Bilezikjian's Oud Method. Unfortunately it is written for armenian oud tuned E A B E A D! Not very helpful for my arabian oud. I just wanted to tell you to prevent disappointments . . . :(

What is your level? What are you looking for in a book? The reason I ask is, if you already know basic physical technique and how to read music (Arabic/concert pitch), there are several old Arabic oud method books available on-line in PDF form. Since most of us don't read Arabic well enough (I read it, but poorly) to understand basic technique descriptions (which are better learned from a live teacher anyway), the most useful part of most these books is the written musical exercises. If you want some of these old books, send me a U2U with your email, and I will fileshare you PDFs of old Arabic oud method books.

Peace out,
"Udi" John

newlife_ks - 6-22-2016 at 02:28 AM

Hello John!

That's a really fine offer! Well, what is my level? I've been playing cello in my youth, continuing with guitar over the decades and decided to buy an oud. What I'm missing most in my playing is the ornamental kind with trills and all that stuff. But that will be a matter of practice. Nobody in the neighbourhood who plays oud here in Germany, so I will have to learn all by myself. Listening will be my teacher as it was in the past.