Pascal - 8-24-2006 at 05:17 AM
Hi all,
I discovered your forum yesterday, and found it very informative and friendly. So, since I think I am going to hang around here regularly now on, I
thought I might as well introduce myself.
I am a Frenchman living in rural UK, and a music enthousiast. I listen to all sorts of music, from jazz to tango, gypsy music, pansori, Arabic music
or electronic improvisation, etc.
I also happen to be a guitar player, playing mainly jazz and gypsy jazz, and I've been fantasizing about playing oud for years. I blame Munir Bashir,
Hamza El Din, Farid Al Attrash, Anouar Brahem, Alla, Rabih Abu Khalil and a few others for this (Oum Koulthoum, Ensemble Al Kindi, etc...)
Well, these fantasies might as well come true soon, since I finally have a job that allows me to afford one, and to travel regularly to the Middle
East.
I will be in Abu Dhabi in the next weeks, where I will hopefully try my first ouds.... but I won't buy one until I'm familiar enough with the
instrument to know what I want, though.
So I think I will spend some time here, do my best to contribute, but mostly (at least in the beginning), try to learn as much as I can about the
instrument and Arabic and Turkish music. So I thank you in advance for your contribution to my education.
Anyway, here come my first questions:
- Anybody knows about interesting concerts in Abu Dhabi or Dubai in September or October? I can't find any info on the web...
- I will checkout the music store that was recommended here earlier (next to Jihad Saloon). Any other recommendation?
- Anybody knows the programme of this year's Oud Festival in Muscat? (Is it happening this year?).... I thought I could try to arrange a business trip
to the UAE or Oman around that time...
Thanks.