Mike's Oud Forums

Confusion about Bashir Style ouds

revaldo29 - 7-13-2005 at 12:54 PM

OK!
From reading up on the forums, I gathered that Bashir style ouds were made to accomidate Munir Bashir's desire to reach a higher tension on the strings. I was under the impression that these ouds are made for Iraqi music. What I don't understand are these arabic ouds I see that are Bashir style and have a streng length of 61 cm. What is the purpose of this if the oud is made to be tuned arabic style? When I got my shehata built, I could have gotten the exact seem oud but with the strings tied at the bottom. I really don't understand what difference it makes and why people do it. Could someone please provide an explanation?

anyone out there?

revaldo29 - 7-17-2005 at 06:07 PM

anyone?

Jameel - 7-17-2005 at 06:23 PM

That's an interesting question. I have my theories, but they're just that. I'd like to know too. From general observation (I've only played real Bashir style ouds by well-known Iraqi makers) I would say that these traditional-scale length ouds with floating bridges are kind of a hybrid, perhaps trying to add some more twangy sound to the traditional oud. They definitely have a different sound. Maybe some one can explain to us, revaldo29.