MatthewW - 12-23-2008 at 03:00 AM
First of all let me wish a 'Seasons Greetings' to all, whatever your faith or your beliefs may be.
I thought I'd squeeze in one last sound clip before the end of 2008, of one of the musical genres I'm exploring.
'Raga Roots' as you probably know is the title from a CD of the great Munir Bashir, though my attempt at playing in this style owes more to listening
to the master Ravi Shanker.
My oud resolution for 2009 is to really work on my technique so that one day, inshallah, I'll be able to really express what I feel inside and be able
to play what I want to say musically on the oud; and there's still a long, long way to go for me.
As this is an oud forum, may 2009 be a great oud year for all of you! regards, Matthew
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charlie oud - 12-23-2008 at 11:52 AM
Well done Mat, nice Alaap. There is a wealth of material which can sound well on the oud. You've got the feel for this, I can tell you have much to
express and you sound well on course to this personal expression in your playing. I like the tanpura drone. Congrats. C
Christian1095 - 12-23-2008 at 12:11 PM
Yeah, the drone really sounds good with the piece... Nice playing!
frao - 12-24-2008 at 04:40 AM
this is really beautiful. sensual playing and nice technique.
hundred salaams to each of you and merry being.
francis - 12-24-2008 at 07:18 AM
Oooouuuuiiii!!!! Matthew.
Nice pieces ( I listened the two ragas ). I like very much music with drones : it opens ways we don't take without this support, I think that
particular harmonics and attractive dissonances allows that. Uilleann pipes is a marvellous instrument to explore these moods, to search the time when
you are accompaning the drones , when the music seems to reverse.....and oud also as you play it here!
You express many feelings through this playing. For sure your resolution for the next year is a good one, but the "begining" of your oud travel is
already rich and tasteful....I' would like to play such tunes!!!!
Keep on giving us tunes.
Bravo encore
et merci.
Francis
corridoio - 12-24-2008 at 08:00 AM
hi Matthew
have you sampled the drone from a cd or used something like ryadstudio?
ale.
MatthewW - 12-24-2008 at 09:59 AM
Thank you all for your kind words, they are most encouraging and let me know that I am trying to play the oud in a style that many of you understand
and appreciate, and even though my playing is full of mistakes and loose ends your words inspire me to keep on exploring and to become better. 
I am using a Raagini box (electric tanpura) for the drone, a great tool for exploring Indian music. You can programme it very easily, in any key and
with several drone 'moods'. They are usually found on ebay.
Ararat66 - 12-24-2008 at 03:08 PM
Hi Matthew
I'd just like to echo the rest of the members and also to encourage you to put more stuff up (as I've been fortunate enough to hear it !!)
Best wishes
hope to see you some time soon, maybe at the next oud meeting
Kelly - 12-26-2008 at 07:10 AM
Great playing Matthew on those 2 raagas. I particularly like the sustain and tone you're getting as well as the way you create space between passages.
Lets hear more in 2009.
Hope to meet with ouds soon. All the Best .