Mike's Oud Forums

Buzuq recordings?

Cooper - 8-3-2007 at 07:03 PM

I hope this is not too far off topic, but I was curious if anyone on this list might be able to recommend any recordings of buzuq (bouzuk) players?

I know of Tareq Abboushi's band "Shusmo" and the other band he is in "Zikayat." I was able to find a CD from maqam.com called "The Oriental Bazaar" that has one song on it and a CD called "Tribute to a Master of the Buzuq" from Amazon, but that is it.

I would appreciate any help on finding more recordings (I know there are more out there). This is such a cool instrument, I just do not understand why it is not more popular.

dubai244 - 8-3-2007 at 08:36 PM

Hi Cooper,

I am buzuq player and i know why it is not popular, because it is hard to play, specially when position you fingers deep inside along the neck. I recommand the following players:

1. Mohammad Abdul Karim "Buzuq prince" as they called him, he is from syrian, died 20 years ago, "Devil Dance" one of the famous piece he played.

2. Mohammad Matar, died as well while ago, from lebanon, he is good player but not compare to "Buzuq Prince.

3. Tony Franjeyeh, lebanese, you might find his records in Virgin Music Shop

4. If you go to http://www.Youtube.com, and Write"Baglama" or "Bouzouki". Baglama is another version of buzuq, it is turkish instrument. and Bouzouki the greece one.

5. Me, I can send my records to you, i charge $100 per piece .... !! "I wish .."

Baglama Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eua50lKA0I

Bouzouki Greece Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw_mIvwirY4&mode=related&sea...

Cheers

;)

Cooper - 8-4-2007 at 07:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dubai244
I am buzuq player and i know why it is not popular, because it is hard to play, specially when position you fingers deep inside along the neck.


Is it because the actions is high? Or the long reach? Other than that the extra frets, it would seem that it is like a 6-string Greek bouzouki.

Quote:
Originally posted by dubai244
I recommand the following players:
1. Mohammad Abdul Karim "Buzuq prince" as they called him, he is from syrian, died 20 years ago, "Devil Dance" one of the famous piece he played.
2. Mohammad Matar, died as well while ago, from lebanon, he is good player but not compare to "Buzuq Prince.
3. Tony Franjeyeh, lebanese, you might find his records in Virgin Music Shop
Quote:


Thank you for this info! :) Do you know were to get any of their recordings?

Quote:
Originally posted by dubai244
4. If you go to http://www.Youtube.com, and Write"Baglama" or "Bouzouki". Baglama is another version of buzuq, it is turkish instrument. and Bouzouki the greece one.
Quote:


I do not know why I did not think of that! I have already found a few live clips of someone playing it.

Thank you again!

dubai244 - 8-4-2007 at 08:33 PM

Hi Cooper,

It is hard to play because of long neck, which means you have to know how to position your fingers along the neck, and some time you need to slide your fingers along the neck very fast to cach up the tones of the music or the song you are playing.

What do you mean "Actions is high"?

Greece Bouzouki has 6 strings, which means 3 courses. Baglama is 7 strings But it is 3 Courses as well.

Records, you will find them in the Internet, http://www.Zeryab.com one of the sources.

They are alot of videos in the YouTube.com.

Cheers

:)

Cooper - 8-5-2007 at 05:48 AM

Luckily I play both the Greek bozouki and the baglama, so the reach problem I am used to.

What I mean by "action" is how far the strings are off the neck. The higher the action, the harder it is to push the string behind the fret (which usually is the case with cheeper instruments). Although I have this problem with my oud, so I found that it is not a good thing even for fret-less instruments (I still need to have someone fix that).

Thank you for telling me about "www.zeryab.com."

Cheers,

Dustin

dubai244 - 8-5-2007 at 07:42 AM

Hi Cooper,

I used to have high action problem 10 years ago when i was buying cheap ouds. But now all the instrument which i have, has perfect action, very perfect low and so easy to play.

My suggest regarding Baglama, i recommad to buy new better than fix it. I ordered new baglama recently and i will send cound clips and pictures soon. Very nice sound, decorated and not expensive. I order it from Mr.Haluk and he is member in this forum and here his web:

http://www.eraydinsazevi.com.tr/

Cheers

damascene_oud - 8-5-2007 at 11:34 AM

Hi Cooper & Dubai,
Last month i was in Damascus Opera house where they performed some items for "Mohammed Abdulkarim" [Prince of Bozuk], the Player was Mohammed Osman.
He performed two pieces as tribute to the giant:
1-Devil Dance & 2-Bozuk Tango
The performance was sensational in every term. Mohammed Osman gave and outstanding play of the two pieces. That gave me the urge to listen to "Mohammed Abdulkarim" rare recording that i have, and hadn't touched in ages; guys the least i would describe those as unbelievably stunning.
If you want to learn Bozuk in a challenging way with perfection, i think you should make Mohammed Andulkarim you model to follow.

Cooper - 8-5-2007 at 02:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dubai244
My suggest regarding Baglama, i recommad to buy new better than fix it. I ordered new baglama recently and i will send cound clips and pictures soon. Very nice sound, decorated and not expensive. I order it from Mr.Haluk and he is member in this forum and here his web:
http://www.eraydinsazevi.com.tr/
Cheers


The high action problem is with my oud and that is because it is a cheap oud. I have been contemplating on whether to have a local luthier work on my oud or just buy a better one, so I appreciate that link you gave me.

Now my saz is a good one. It is by "Saz Muzik Aletleri" (Hasan Sarikaya). I have no problems with that instrument. My Greek bouzouki is unfortunately a Sakis, but it is a decent instrument (the action is a little high). It is kind of difficult to get a good, but affordable Greek bouzouki.

I also appriciate the names of the bozuq players that both you and "damascene_oud" gave me. Unfortunately, it looks like getting ahold of some bozuq recordings may be as difficult as getting ahold of the instrument itself ;)

Brian Prunka - 8-5-2007 at 06:26 PM

Ziad Rahbani, 'Bil Afrah'. Great album, lots of buzuq featured.