divo201125 - 3-20-2017 at 09:35 PM
How should i go about tuning my Arabic oud?Which tuning is the most common? Is it D2 G2 A2 D3 G3 C4? I recently purchased an Egyptian Oud(6
sections,12 strings) and want to get started but I dont know what type of tuning i need to tune it to. Also any one have a link/ picture of a note
fingering chart for the Arabic oud? thank you
suz_i_dil - 3-21-2017 at 01:59 AM
I would say anyone you want. The tonality of your tuning deals more with who you plays (and / or the register of your voice if you want to sing)
rather than a matter of level of playing.
this said, if you go to Arabic classical from Egypt or Syria for exemple you will more oftenly hear tuning in C, sometimes tune half or even one tone
lower
In Iraqi music (definitely not only), or as an artistic choice which get frequent in contemporary works , you may hear a tuning in f.
What you must understand is that the intervals of the trebles tuning keep the same, anyway the tonality. Just the bass strings may change.
this is a common point to begin with
Some examples for the 4 trebles strings,from the 1st course:
C - G - D - A
but can become
B - F# - C # - G # (half tone lower)
Or
Bb - F - C - G (one tone lower)
Or
D - A - E - B ( one tone higher, Turkish style )
Or
F - C - G - D ( F tuning)
Or
G - D - A - E ( f tuning one tone higher, Jamil Bashir style for exemple)
Now the bass, you will choose depending on what you play
for a tuning in C the most common is (beginning from the 6th course)
C - F
but can be
C - G ( This one I use a lot)
Or
C - E
Or
D - G
Or
A - E ( Turkish use a lot nowadays)
and why not others depending on your wish and creativity. I try tuning my single bass string on a quarter tone to play sikah maqam and it works, I
liked it. But this maybe better you try later
All those bass tuning propose are for tuning in C. For others, just transpose but the issue is the same
Forget about a fingering chart,follow your ear and educate your fingers.
Last but not least...use strings adapted to the tuning you wish regarding the stringlength of your oud (diapason). You cannot use all of them with the
same set of strings
Good luck !
suz_i_dil - 3-21-2017 at 02:16 AM
Another point what I mean for the fingering chart.
Actually you must first think hand position and educate your left hand this way. In the aim to get solid landmarks on the fingerboard
there are 4 main position and you have to play and move your hand as it is a single block. It is the thumb that gives the position
let say a string tune in C
Position 0 the first finger plays a Db
Position 1 " " " plays a D
Position 2 " " " " plays a Eb
Position 2 + " " " " plays a E
Position 3 " " " " " plays a F
Position 3+ " " " ' plays a F #
Position 4 " " " " " plays a G ( first finger on the neck/body joint)
From that use your ear and practice change of position keeping the same note ( you just change the finger which play the note), you will catch it.As a
beginner don't go to fast in the higher position, practice first 0 and 1 position. Get to know the fingerboard,take landmarks. Where are the b-c
notes, where are the e-f notes, use the open strings as resonnance to control and correct your tune. You can also practice intervals or chromatic
scale. Take your time and make it nice to hear
Hope this is clear and will help
sylvainbd - 3-22-2017 at 12:15 PM
Hi
wacth my video did for tuning oud (and guitar) - sub titles FR EN
i did a files for linked below video
For many people the most common is CFAdgc ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX_h3TRpE18