Azaraath - 1-5-2019 at 06:18 PM
Hello guys,
I just bought an Oud and I will start my first lessons on Tuesday.
First of all I have never played any instrument before.
I need advices, Is my Oud from Egypt or Turkey ?
Here is how my Oud is tuned : (from high to low) C-G-D-A-F (Is it correct ?)
It has only nine strings, is it okay ?
I am a real beginner 
)
Here is a picture of my Oud attached.
Thank you very much.
Yassine.
joseph - 1-5-2019 at 07:23 PM
Hi Yassine,
Congratulations on your oud, and hope you enjoy the lessons and your learning experience.
To answer your questions:
1) The label title inside the oud "Ghwaret El fan" suggests to me that is made in Egypt, although I can't read the address details.
2) Yes, the tuning is right to begin with. You can later alter the tuning of the lowest tuned string to G or E if you want, but F is quite a common
tuning for that string. Note that if you are playing alone, you can drop the tuning of A=440 Hz a little and the oud might sound better. If you don't
understand this for now, don't worry about it and just use your tuner to maintain the strings at the tuning you listed.
3) I think nine strings is ok, and might be even better if you are starting to learn the oud. Most Arabic music would be covered by the tuning range
of these strings, and there is less pegs and strings to worry about.
Good luck.
Joseph