Christian1095 - 6-6-2008 at 08:26 AM
Well, I'm in my second month of learning to play the Oud and the folks in this forum have been awesome. After posting my first two videos on Youtube,
SamirCanada recommended that I try to work on the Samaii form. As a next step and he suggested I start with this piece - HERE
I think the piece above is pretty similar to the Samaii Bayati on the Learn to Play part of this site. So my plan has been to start with the piece on
the forum where I can follow along first. Once I have the muscle memory for the phrasing, I can attempt to learn the Farhan Sabbagh version. Also, I
picked up a copy of OudProff's DVD so before I've also been spending some time making sure I'm playing within the Maqam correctly... So it feels like
I'm on the right track in terms of a 'how to learn' perspective...
I'm just about at the point now where I've learned the notes for Samaii Bayati and I'm getting more comfortable with it.. I can play along and hit
all the notes so I'm really happy with my progress... And I feel pretty good about the Rast Samaii too... but I'm getting COMPLETELY lost when either
of the pieces go to the faster version in the second half of the videos....
I'm not sure if this is the case where I just don't have enough time with the instrument yet to really understand what's happening in the song or if
there is a conceptual piece I just don't have yet.... I realize that by adding drones and ''strumming'' (and I'm sure this isn't' the right word for
it) you get more 'volume' in the piece... but I'm not really sure what's going on to actually make that happen. Is there any 'rule of thumb' that the
music tends to adhere to? Or could someone point me in the right direction.... I realize I sound like an idiot with the question "how do you strum"
but I'm completely lost...
Any help?
francis - 6-6-2008 at 11:28 AM
An answer , but not really an help...
I bought my oud several years ago, but I learn to play it seriously for two month also.
I know what is your actual feeling ( doubts....what is the most important to progress now....how to play ( strum ) .....).
For myself, I think I'm discovering the many different styles of playing when searching tunes to play, and when listening for pleasure.....so I have
to identify the basics of oud playing.
Sometimes it's easy, sometimes not. The right hand playing, for me, is really difficult to "built". Two reasons : at first, I don't use to play arabic
or middle-eastern rythms.
At second, I use to play other stringed instruments with a completely different approach with right hand.
Prehaps it's better to let the time working. Our brain, our spirit, our hands need the time of experience. I accept this way for me to learn....but
each one has to find his own method for the learning to be pleasant.....
And most of questions has an answer on Mike's Oud!!!!
maran - 6-6-2008 at 01:20 PM
just out of curiosity, what is the signficance behind the name christian1095?
Christian1095 - 6-6-2008 at 08:13 PM
You know, I've actually never been asked that question before....
I grew up in Southern Italy (Naples) and all of my Italian friends used to call me 'Christian' or 'Christiano' since Christopher wasn't a common
name... So it reminds me of my roots...
Over a decade ago, I got AOL account when I was in college... and all really cool screen names were taken. I remember sitting infront of that stupid
computer for something close to an hour or two trying names.. and they were all taken.... So at the time I was doing research on the Siege of Antioch
and the First Crusade... I had just finished reading about the Synod of Cleremont in 1095 (History Major) and in frustration, I just used
Christian1095.... So after that, it just sort of stuck and I've been using it ever since...
So the significance to me is that I grew up in Italy, I'm a history geek, and AOL sucks for trying to get a screen name... 