Marina - 9-10-2008 at 11:01 AM
Dear friends,
here is the book I have been working on for a while and some of you did very helpful evoluation of it. Thank you! There is also Mav,s great text about
taqsim (with his permission) and our http://www.mikeouds.com is mentiond with honours!
The book is for very beginers, but with some advanced well known repertoire compositions, clearly written and with fingering & positions.
You can get it on Mel Bay site:
http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?productid=21812DP
PS
I still did not get it, but I am soooo excited!!!!!
Mensur - 9-10-2008 at 11:19 AM
nice 
cestitam!
DanielH - 9-10-2008 at 01:06 PM
Just ordered my copy Marina... Can't wait to get it! Thank you!!!
cjmichael - 9-10-2008 at 02:08 PM
Very sweet. I'll be ordering it as soon as I get back home.
MatthewW - 9-10-2008 at 02:30 PM
congratulations Marina! to have a book published on the oud! bravo!
Jason - 9-10-2008 at 03:38 PM
Congrats Marina. I was at NAMM a few years ago and asked Mel Bay about the possibility of publishing an oud book. They didn't know what I was
talking about 
Alan-TX - 9-10-2008 at 05:08 PM
Congrats. I just ordered a copy.
JasonM - 9-10-2008 at 11:54 PM
Looks great. I ordered a copy too...I need all the help I can get!
Marina - 9-11-2008 at 08:01 AM
Hi friends!
Thank you!
It is my very first book and I am very excited. So, if you have some questions when you get the copy, etc, just contact me on my mail (see in
profile).
Jason, yes, it was a good timing now, because a few years ago the western world did not know a lot about eastern instruments, but we still need a book
with advanced technique - this one is just a basics!
katakofka - 9-11-2008 at 09:36 AM
Mabruk Marina a good step forward
patheslip - 9-11-2008 at 10:30 AM
well done
I'll get one when I'm good enough to be a beginner.
wsb3383 - 9-12-2008 at 03:30 PM
This is great news Marina!
On question though, the Mel Bay site mentions in its description that your book covers advanced left hand techniques. Could you please elaborate more
on that? I'm mostly interested in ornamentation exercises, do you cover those?
Thanks!
mavrothis - 9-12-2008 at 06:58 PM
Hi Marina,
Congratulations! This is great news! I really appreciate that you included some of my own words in your book, it is a great compliment.
I am also working on some books for Mel Bay, just need to iron out some issues out in Finale (it's a lot trickier than I anticipated).
This news about your book is very exciting and I'm so glad that you've had this opportunity to share your love for the oud and your experience on it
with the world.
I wish you all the best with this and hope it is just the beginning.
Take care,
mavrothis
Marina - 9-13-2008 at 07:56 AM
Hi Mav!
Thanks!
francis - 9-13-2008 at 08:08 AM
Hello Marina.
I'm late to send you a big BRAVO !!!
Now I have to order the all version.....
Marina - 9-14-2008 at 01:48 AM
Hi there!
Mel Bay sent me the book!
;-))))
francis - 9-14-2008 at 01:55 AM
Hello Marina.
Everything is right, now you can sleep all nights long.....
What is the easier way to order from France, an idea?
Have you start the " Tome II "?
Marina - 9-14-2008 at 04:52 AM
Try Amazon
jdowning - 9-15-2008 at 10:46 AM
Nicely done Marina - I ordered a copy this morning from a music shop in the next town. Should take about a week to arrive so am looking forward to
that.
The DVD should be particularly useful.
Now I shall have to build an oud ....!!
Kudos to the Mel Bay company as well for having the good foresight to publish your work.
Good luck with sales of the book. I am sure that it will do well in the market.
Marina - 9-16-2008 at 04:22 AM
Sorry, I just have to....
abusin - 9-16-2008 at 04:47 AM
Hi Marina,
Congratulations on the publication of your first book, well done
wishing you all the success in life,
my copy on its way
Thanks,
Awad
Wm. De Leonardis - 9-16-2008 at 07:07 AM
Marina,
Congratulations! It's great to see more books on the oud--and in English--making their way to the market.
For anyone interested, I found the book for $11.28 ($10.15, if you're a member) at Books A Million's web-site. Here's the url:
http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780786678631?id=4215772276968
If there's a Books A Million retailer in your area, you'll be charged sales tax. Shipping is $3.98. Still, it appears to be cheaper than most other
places on the web.
Best,
Bill
DaveH - 9-16-2008 at 11:27 AM
Congrats Marina, it takes a lot of hard work to get a book like this to completion. Wish you all the best with it.
Dave
oudmad - 9-16-2008 at 05:57 PM
Marina: congratulations. In one of the descriptions at Elderly Instruments, there is the statement "Standard notation only". What does this mean?.
Thanks
Marina - 9-17-2008 at 01:02 AM
Hi oudmad,
Standard notation means that the sheet music is just common notation, not TABULATURES or other ways or writing the music. Lute music is usualy written
with TABULATURES, and some of old instruments also. So this shop, Elderly Instruments, is used to guys that play mostly from TABULATURES, so they
worn them. ;-)
Tablature
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tablature (or Tab) is a form of musical notation, which tells players where to place their fingers on a particular instrument rather than which
pitches to play.
Tablature is mostly (but not exclusively) seen for fretted stringed instruments, in which context it is usually called tab for short (except for lute
tablature). It is frequently used for the guitar, bass, lute, archlute, theorbo, angélique, mandora, gallichon, and vihuela, but in principle it can
be used for any fretted instrument, including ukulele, mandolin, banjo, and viola da gamba, as well as many free reed aerophones such as the
harmonica. While today tablature is commonly used in notating rock and pop music, it is often seen in folk music, and was in fact common during
Renaissance and Baroque eras. (In the context of guitar tab, standard musical notation is usually called 'staff notation' — even though tab is also
written on a staff — or just 'notation').
Three types of organ tablature were also used in Europe: German, Spanish and Italian. There are several types of ocarina tabulature.[1] Harp tablature
was used in Spain and Wales.
An alternate usage of the word "tab" is common on the internet, where it refers to conventional chord symbols (for harmony), or note names (for
melody).
So the point is simple - in the book are just normal notes on 5 lines.
nadir - 9-17-2008 at 02:09 AM
I just ordered a copy! Can't wait to receive it! Excellent idea that it was to come with a DVD! Congratulations!
JasonM - 9-21-2008 at 08:39 PM
Hi Marina,
I got my copy with DVD. It's great! Well done.
I look forward to your future intermediate and advanced instruction books!
Best wishes
Jason
Marina - 9-22-2008 at 02:09 AM
Thank you Jason!
If you have any questions - just mail me.
Basho - 9-23-2008 at 04:17 AM
Hi Marina
I recieved my copy yesterday, it´s very well done. I haven´t seen any book like it in english.
One thing that would be good for me is if there was some audiofiles of all the songs in the book. I am not so good at reading time. The easier songs
is probably no problem but samai with 10/8 I always have a problem with.
Just a suggestion.
Best wishes
Kristoffer
DanielH - 9-23-2008 at 04:23 AM
Hi Marina,
I received mine yesterday! So far I've watched the DVD and read through the book once. Fantastic job! Everything is very comprehensive and well-suited
for a beginner like myself. I enjoyed reading Mav's comments on taksim (very inspiring) and especially appreciated your suggestions on how to
practice. It sounds simple, but that was really helpful to me to be able to put together some kind of daily method for practicing oud. You've done a
great service to those of us who want to begin with some solid ground under our feet – especially since you're a member of our little oud "family"
here on the forums! Thanks again!
- Daniel
Marina - 9-23-2008 at 12:33 PM
Dear Basho!
Hi there!
Thanks!!!;-)
Yes, it would be nice to do the all the songs...but...I had to cut it down - 40 min or so.
In the book, on the page 24 is "How we count", but we deal with quarter notes as basic. I samay the basic note is 8th. (1o/8)
So, in Samay, in order to count it good, you have to do folowing, it is very simple, but you have to stick to it:
Every quarter note you count - one and, two end,
Every eight note you count - one end,
16th note you count: at 1st you say ONE at 2nd you say AND
So in for exhample Tatius rast, 1st hanna(there are little notes there that indicates the trills, just do not play them, you will add it later on)
For C you count: ONE AND TWO AND,
For G you count: THREE AND
For C with a point: 4 AND, 5
For D: AND
For next four 16th notes you count: 6 and, 7 and
For C: 8 and, 9 and
For G 10 and
I usualy do not count until 10, it confuses me, but when ever I have a new samai, EVERY quarter I count ONE AND, TWO AND
and EVERY eight I count ONE END, and 16th as I written before. It is not "CORRECT", but it is very easy and it works.
Good luck
oudplayer - 9-23-2008 at 05:45 PM
hey marina
Kol hakavod on this book. hatzlacha with it and best of luck, cant wait to get it .
thx sammy
Basho - 9-24-2008 at 12:57 PM
Thanks! I´ll try that.
Kristoffer
nadir - 9-26-2008 at 07:14 AM
Just got my book! (arrived a minute ago actually!)
Great book Marina! This is certainly the best of the best out there. This is very insightful, especially to those that are of English speaking
background! The accompanying DVD is very helpful and professional.
Congratulations and a job well done!
Marina - 9-26-2008 at 08:36 AM
Thank you so much Nadir!
Again, I have to say there are a few bugs in the book (small things, like some numbers jumped half an inch left or so)
So, plese fell to contact me with any guestion on unclear issue.
Yours,
hama - 10-6-2008 at 01:00 AM
Hi Marina
Just received the book in the weeked direct from MelBayUS,I found it very useful , written in a simple way and very clearley demonstrating how to
learn to play oud step by step both as theory in the Book and as practice on the DVD, already answered a few questions was on my mind, Highly
recommended for Beginners .
well done Marina
I hope you can include an audio CD in the 2nd Edition to accompany the tunes found in the book
Regards
hama
Marina - 10-6-2008 at 11:36 AM
Hi Hama,
thanks.
If midi files can help - (but no quarter tones!) I can send it to you. I hope really that there will be 2nd edition in the future. ;-) And If there
will be, than I'll record it.
jdowning - 10-7-2008 at 11:44 AM
I am 'back to square one' in trying to purchase a copy of Marina's book. After waiting for two weeks, the music store in the next town finally
admitted that they had not processed my order! Although I try to support local businesses (that want to be supported!) I cancelled my order with them
and ordered from Amazon on-line instead. Unfortunately, although Amazon offer the book, they are currently out of stock and will deliver when supplies
become available - but there is no indication when that might be. I hope that this is an indication of heavier than anticipated sales and not a
distribution problem by the publisher!
hama - 10-8-2008 at 01:07 AM
Hi Jdowning
I ordered the book directly from Mel Bay us and recived it in 10 days( I live in the UK), ( shipping cost was high but worth it)
try that route may be faster and I am sure shipping cost wont be that much if you are local
regards
hama
hama - 10-8-2008 at 01:09 AM
thanks Marina , the midi files will be great
my email address is hama@pars.co.uk
really appreciated
BR
hama
jdowning - 10-8-2008 at 04:06 AM
Thanks for the 'feedback' hama. I did not initially order from Mel Bay direct as they recommended purchasing through local music stores (for the
US/Canada market place). I have never dealt with Amazon on-line before so am interested to see how this works out as they seem to be a good source for
books, DVD's etc.
Sooner or later I will obtain a copy of the book - it is just taking me a bit longer than first anticipated.
Something to look forward to.
oud-dude - 10-13-2008 at 05:23 PM
Hi, Marina... I just got a copy of your book from Elderly Instruments. Very nice! This is exactly what I have been looking for... something to help
a true beginner get started. I've used many Mel Bay books for other instruments. I was glad to see that they published your oud book. I am sure it
will really help bring the oud into the mainstream in the U.S. I look forward to working my way through it.
I am particularly interested in the maqam exercises, as this is all new to me as a guitar player.
Thanks... Peter
shareen - 10-13-2008 at 06:34 PM
Hello Marina,
I tried purchasing your book through one of Mel Bay's dealers and no one called me back. Any we that we can buy them directly from you? I'd rather
you get all the money anyway.
Thanks!
nadir - 10-13-2008 at 07:12 PM
I've been practicing walking my fingers Marina! Getting my musical notes down too. Any plans for intermediate or advanced technique sequels?
Hatem_Afandi - 10-14-2008 at 07:28 AM
Hi Marina,
I believe that Nadir's question makes perfect sense. I hope that you will start on the next level(s).
When are you going to tell us the good news?
Best regards,
Hatem
cjmichael - 10-14-2008 at 09:33 AM
Money well spent.
Well, I think I'll buy it from Amazon instead.
Marina - 10-14-2008 at 02:47 PM
Hi there all!
;-)
Shereen, I do not have any more books, just one left. Mel Bays sent me 4 copies. 
I am not much of the seller.
Advanced...yeah....
jdowning - 10-15-2008 at 06:58 AM
Just an update. I ordered a copy from Amazon two weeks ago but the book is still listed by them as temporarily out of stock. This morning I contacted
Amazon Customer Service to try to determine if they could give an estimated shipping date. They confirmed that they had contacted their supplier for
more information on availability when the order was placed but are still awaiting a response.
Amazon did say that as the book is an item that is not ordered frequently they cannot predict how long it will take for them to obtain and ship a
copy.
I suppose that this delay could mean that there may also be a minimum order level before the supplier will ship to Amazon - but that is just a guess
on my part.
So, we will wait and see how it goes from here.
cjmichael - 10-15-2008 at 09:29 AM
I bought mine through Amazon from the seller "MissigmanMusic" and they shipped it first class the day after.
oud-dude - 10-16-2008 at 03:28 PM
Elderly Instruments is a good place to get it. Very reputable online dealer that is a favorite of folk players and people looking for things you
might not find in your average music store or those online superstores. I bought mine from Elderly and they had it in stock and shipped it
quickly.
http://www.elderly.com
Cheers... Peter
hama - 10-27-2008 at 08:25 AM
This Book is now available in the UK through MelBay , their Tel Number is
0208 323 8010 , they will direct you to your local book store .
jdowning - 11-15-2008 at 05:39 PM
I have just received my copy of Marina's book. It has taken a while - due to a 'comedy of errors' that is not relevant here. I am impressed by this
work that will help me in a transition from over 30 years experience as a lute player to the oud. The included DVD is particularly useful and
showcases Marina as an excellent teacher - personable and easy to understand in her presentation of the important basics. Highly recommended.
Thanks Marina!
Tom Moran - 11-16-2008 at 09:54 AM
I've had Marina's book for about a month now, and it has put me on the right path. Once the oud I'm building is done (top ready to glue), I'm looking
forward to putting Marina's teaching to the test. In the mean time, I've been learning maqam on a nylon string guitar and then transferring it to
fretless banjo. Just to get an idea of how things may sound.
Another endorsement
Clayton - 11-25-2008 at 10:01 PM
Marina's book arrived this week and I am really impressed with the straightforward instruction! The dvd is great and the book is exactly what I was
looking for in a beginner book... I have played double bass for over 30 years and am familiar with the way instruction is presented and this is a
great one. If you are new to the Oud, do yourself a favor and get this one.
Marina - 11-26-2008 at 12:15 PM
Thank you!
You can contact me with any guestions.
joklany - 3-20-2009 at 09:40 AM
Hi Marina
I recently bought your book here in Dubai. An excellent book and DVD. Many Thanks.
I was wondering if you have an audio recording (preferably in midi format) of the pieces in your book that you could share. It would be of great help
to a biginner like me.
Many Thanks in advance.
Jaafar
Marina - 3-21-2009 at 01:07 AM
Hi there!,
there are midi files, but no quarter tones - you know, westers computers...
Here it is - but, be cearfull - no Quarter notes, so the in the some songs melody is not "REAL". That was the reason I did no enclude it in the
book.
;-)
joklany - 3-22-2009 at 01:34 AM
Fantastic! Many Thanks Marina. I really appreciate it.
Jaafar
Reda Aouad - 3-22-2009 at 02:36 AM
Hi Marina.. Nice MIDI collection for beginners.
I just have a small comment.. BASHRAF FARAHFAZA is played back in a very fast tempo. It's rather very slow and mellow, like in this sample: http://www.maqamworld.com/realaudio/clips/farahfaza/bashraf_farahfa...
Tom Moran - 3-22-2009 at 07:13 AM
Thanks Marina!
Marina - 3-22-2009 at 10:25 AM
Reda, yes, you are right,
Bashrafs are always very slow - this midi probably run quickly by itself. I do not turst computersi. They are human sometimes ;-)))))