Mike's Oud Forums

Questions on Sudanese and Somali oud music

joseph - 4-25-2021 at 09:06 PM

I came across some oud playing by Hamza al Din recently which I liked and I started listening to some Sudanese and then Somali oud playing which sounded very different from what I am used to. I really like the sound of the oud in this music.

I have read that the difference is the use of pentatonic scales, but I couldn't find much more information. What are these pentatonic scales? Are there any sheet music, transcripts or any books, websites etc that explain this music? I am also wondering if there is something about the ouds as well that makes them sound so different such as their build or a different tuning, or is it all in the playing style and use of different scales?

John Erlich - 4-25-2021 at 09:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by joseph  
I came across some oud playing by Hamza al Din recently which I liked and I started listening to some Sudanese and then Somali oud playing which sounded very different from what I am used to. I really like the sound of the oud in this music.

I have read that the difference is the use of pentatonic scales, but I couldn't find much more information. What are these pentatonic scales? Are there any sheet music, transcripts or any books, websites etc that explain this music? I am also wondering if there is something about the ouds as well that makes them sound so different such as their build or a different tuning, or is it all in the playing style and use of different scales?



I couldn't find anything on-line explaining the use of pentatonic scales ("khomsi") in Sudanese (etc.) music. Are you on Facebook? I could try to make and share a short video explaining/demonstrating what I know about it, though I'm no expert.

joseph - 4-26-2021 at 07:00 AM

Hi John,

I am not on Facebook. If it is possible you can share it here, or use the forum messaging. (If it is not too much trouble)

Thanks
Joseph

John Erlich - 5-3-2021 at 09:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by joseph  
Hi John,

I am not on Facebook. If it is possible you can share it here, or use the forum messaging. (If it is not too much trouble)

Thanks
Joseph

Hi Joseph,

I could make a short video and share it with you. The problem is that the crappy video software on my old Mac creates VERY large files. I would have to create a video and then use a file-sharing service to convey it to you. You can try U2U'ing me your email address.

joseph - 5-4-2021 at 06:00 AM

Hi John,

Thanks. I sent you a U2U.

Cheers
Joseph

sylvainbd - 6-16-2021 at 01:55 PM

Hi
I recorded several years ago a tutorial to play a nice song of Hamza el din. Did you watch it ?
French language but music is universal ;)

https://youtu.be/d0wootdnGdk

Jody Stecher - 6-16-2021 at 02:20 PM

One scale the Sudanese like a lot is 1,2, 4 5 and neutral 7. So in C it is C D F G and a B between B flat and B natural that is closer to B flat.
Another thing that makes this music sound as it does is the phrasing and rhythm. Another is the tone quality. The singing and oud sound similar to me.

You can work out the scales for yourself by playing or singing what you hear on the recordings. There are only 5 notes so it won't take long. Really, you can do this. It will be fun.

joseph - 6-19-2021 at 04:35 AM

Thanks Sylvain for the link to the tutorial! Very interesting and nice playing. I cannot understand French unfortunately but I still could pick up enough to understand some of what is going on. I will watch it again few times.
Thanks Jody also for the info. I play music in an Indonesian gamelan group in Perth Western Australia, and we also use a Pentatonic scale called Slendro, so what you are saying makes sense to me.