joseph
Oud Maniac
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Questions on Sudanese and Somali oud music
I came across some oud playing by Hamza al Din recently which I liked and I started listening to some Sudanese and then Somali oud playing which
sounded very different from what I am used to. I really like the sound of the oud in this music.
I have read that the difference is the use of pentatonic scales, but I couldn't find much more information. What are these pentatonic scales? Are
there any sheet music, transcripts or any books, websites etc that explain this music? I am also wondering if there is something about the ouds as
well that makes them sound so different such as their build or a different tuning, or is it all in the playing style and use of different scales?
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John Erlich
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Quote: Originally posted by joseph  | I came across some oud playing by Hamza al Din recently which I liked and I started listening to some Sudanese and then Somali oud playing which
sounded very different from what I am used to. I really like the sound of the oud in this music.
I have read that the difference is the use of pentatonic scales, but I couldn't find much more information. What are these pentatonic scales? Are
there any sheet music, transcripts or any books, websites etc that explain this music? I am also wondering if there is something about the ouds as
well that makes them sound so different such as their build or a different tuning, or is it all in the playing style and use of different scales?
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I couldn't find anything on-line explaining the use of pentatonic scales ("khomsi") in Sudanese (etc.) music. Are you on Facebook? I could try to
make and share a short video explaining/demonstrating what I know about it, though I'm no expert.
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joseph
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Hi John,
I am not on Facebook. If it is possible you can share it here, or use the forum messaging. (If it is not too much trouble)
Thanks
Joseph
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John Erlich
Oud Junkie
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| Quote: Originally posted by joseph | Hi John,
I am not on Facebook. If it is possible you can share it here, or use the forum messaging. (If it is not too much trouble)
Thanks
Joseph |
Hi Joseph,
I could make a short video and share it with you. The problem is that the crappy video software on my old Mac creates VERY large files. I would have
to create a video and then use a file-sharing service to convey it to you. You can try U2U'ing me your email address.
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joseph
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Hi John,
Thanks. I sent you a U2U.
Cheers
Joseph
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sylvainbd
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Hi
I recorded several years ago a tutorial to play a nice song of Hamza el din. Did you watch it ?
French language but music is universal 
https://youtu.be/d0wootdnGdk
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Jody Stecher
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One scale the Sudanese like a lot is 1,2, 4 5 and neutral 7. So in C it is C D F G and a B between B flat and B natural that is closer to B flat.
Another thing that makes this music sound as it does is the phrasing and rhythm. Another is the tone quality. The singing and oud sound similar to
me.
You can work out the scales for yourself by playing or singing what you hear on the recordings. There are only 5 notes so it won't take long. Really,
you can do this. It will be fun.
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joseph
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Thanks Sylvain for the link to the tutorial! Very interesting and nice playing. I cannot understand French unfortunately but I still could pick up
enough to understand some of what is going on. I will watch it again few times.
Thanks Jody also for the info. I play music in an Indonesian gamelan group in Perth Western Australia, and we also use a Pentatonic scale called
Slendro, so what you are saying makes sense to me.
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