SJD - 1-31-2015 at 10:26 AM
So, now I've got my new Michael Moussa oud, I want to get studying. My interest is Arabic rather than Turkish. I work as a jazz guitarist and teacher
and my (western) music theory and ears are good.
I realise I have to learn a whole new language and am keen to get started.
I've come across a package called Maqam Mastery on oudforguitarists website. This looks to be exactly what I need, ear training audio included. Sounds
perfect study material for me.
Has anyone had experience with this particular study course or can anyone recommend other / complimentary suitable
study material.
Thanks for your help.
Jody Stecher - 1-31-2015 at 11:21 AM
Use the *Search* function on this site for opinions and discussions on this subject. My recommendation is David Muallam's "The Maqam Book". It takes
the unique approach of first explaining european music and the music described by western music theory from a maqam perspective. That way the reader
learns the maqam way of thinking *before* applying that way of thinking to a less familiar music, that is, to maqam music itself.
The best thing you can do is to study the taqsim-s of good reliable players and to learn several Samai-s in each maqam you are studying. For the
former youtube is good. You can't go wrong with Riad Sunbatti's taqsim playing, for instance. Also check out Omar Naqiishbandi here : http://www.arabicouds.com/rare.php
An amazing resource is the oud eclipse website. It contains an extensive collection of video and audio clips:
http://www.oud.eclipse.co.uk/artists.html
For compositions Brian Prunka's "Arab Classical Instrumental Music" is very good, and printed large and clear as well.
You can learn a lot about oud and maqam by using the Search function on this website.
Did I mention the Search function?
Brian Prunka - 1-31-2015 at 01:35 PM
Maybe Greg can merge the duplicate threads?
SJD - 2-1-2015 at 09:16 AM
Thank you so much Jody and Brian for your advice and recommendations, very much appreciated,
certainly a lot of info out there to consider.