DonHomero
Oud Admirer
Posts: 3
Registered: 5-31-2014
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Need help finding good music to learn!
Hello, everyone,
I've been teaching myself to play the oud for about 11 months or so now, and I've run into a problem. I'm having a very difficult time finding music
to learn that is in the "DGADGC" tuning (according to this website http://www.arabinstruments.com/oud/oud-resources/oud-tuner). I'm trying to stick with that tuning because I figured it would be easier to learn
just one tuning for now.
I'm already learning Simon Shaheen's music (inadvisable without a teacher, I know, but I don't live close enough to my state's major city to really
have good, live oud resources anyways.) I've also learned a bit of "Le Trio Joubran." I'd like to learn Nasser Shamma, but I think the tuning he tends
to use would mess up my oud. I'm still a novice, though, so I have no idea what I'm doing in general!
Anyone have any ideas? I'll be forever in your debt!
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bulerias1981
Oud Junkie
Posts: 770
Registered: 4-26-2009
Location: Beacon, NY
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Mood: John Vergara Luthier Lord of the Strings instrument making and repair
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Hi Don,
Welcome to the world of oud. There is no turning back as you have sold your soul for the cause!
About where to begin, it's a really good idea to find a teacher unless you're familiar enough with the tradition. Also, I wouldn't take much advice
about learning the oud from arabinstruments, as they are merely merchants. I teach private lessons on skype, let me know if you're interested in that.
I was fortunate to live in NY so I was able to study with Simon Shaheen, among many others. Attending Simon's summer retreat is a great way to boost
your ability in a short amount of time and give you a structure to follow. But you'd have to wait until August for that.
Good luck!,
John
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John Erlich
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1470
Registered: 8-26-2004
Location: California, USA
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When you say, "music to learn," do you mean you are looking for songs to learn by ear or looking for sheet music, or both?
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John Erlich
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1470
Registered: 8-26-2004
Location: California, USA
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Mood: Oud-Obsessed
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For music for a new oud player (I don't know from your post what your general musical skill level is, whether you are a total musical beginner or a
master jazz guitarist already, or something in between), I don't recommend starting with the kind of material Simon Shaheen typically plays (original
compositions, and Ottoman Classical music, if memory serves). I generally start my students with simpler songs, some learned by reading music sheets
and some learned by ear (I mix it up, because both skills are important, IMHO). The idea is to learn simpler songs well and develop the ability to
embellish them--with a good understanding of maqam--before moving on to more complex pieces. I think you will develop better confidence and a better
feel for the music than if you start out trying to play sama'is, longas, and peshrevs.
I suggest trying the qudud Halabiyya (old Aleppo folk songs) for good material. A good source is the page for Sabah Fakhri on AhYaSalam.com - http://www.ahyasalam.com/?artistid=22&lang=EN I suggest learning a couple songs using the music sheets to get a feel for the music, then
trying to pick some out to learn by ear.
Good luck and welcome to the World of Oud!
Peace out,
"Udi" John
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danieletarab
Oud Junkie
Posts: 213
Registered: 1-18-2009
Location: Palermo (Italy)
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Hello Don Homero, welocme!
For istance, let's make a point clear: with your tuning you can play every traditional or classical arabic piece. With no exeption. You could have
problems only with modern compositions (when the composers play with the ff tuning). Arabic traditional music goes from low G (called Yakah) to 2
octaves higher G (Ramal Tuti, as far as I remember). The arabic oud is always tuned cc\gg\dde\aa\ in the first 4 strings (unless you're not using the
ff tuning, or iraqi tuning). Only the bass strings may change: G may be F, and D could be C. It depends on the taste. But I repeat, with your tuning
you can play every classical piece. However, you could by the very good sheet music antology called CLASSICAL ARABIC INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. There are
many longas and samai (basically the most popoular), written in a simple way. Look for it in the internet; I really suggest it.
For listening (if you play by ear), get the SImon Shaheen's album "TURATH". In Spotify, I also found "SIMPLIFIED MIDDLE EASTERN SONGS" by Carmine T.
Guida. It's a playlist of middle eastern classics, played very slow and simple by a clarinet and a darbouka. It's very good for learning the melody
that you can eventually develop and ornate yourself. I would stick to traditionl material at the moment, and I would leave modern compositions. Good
luck!
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DonHomero
Oud Admirer
Posts: 3
Registered: 5-31-2014
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Thank you all for your help!
I'm learning primarily by ear because I'm not very confident in my sheet reading skills anymore, but I'd be open to sheet music as long as it's
relatively simple. Maybe that would help me to go back to the basics before continuing to learn contemporary songs.
It sounds like I need to get a good understanding of maqam(s?) before I really progress any further, considering I don't know much of the theory. The
idea of lessons on Skype intrigues me as well.
Also: thanks for the information about tuning! For the longest time I've really had no concept of what I could and couldn't play. That makes me feel a
great deal better.
I'll check back in soon and share what I've figured out. Thanks again for the help! This forum is awesome.
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bulerias1981
Oud Junkie
Posts: 770
Registered: 4-26-2009
Location: Beacon, NY
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Mood: John Vergara Luthier Lord of the Strings instrument making and repair
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With this form of music, learning by ear is encouraged. Though with my students I try to work on all their weak points. I do give sheet music, and its
good to listen to recordings. Learn the pieces by ear with the aid of sheet music.
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SamirCanada
Moderator
Posts: 3405
Registered: 6-4-2004
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Hi friend,
check this website http://www.maqamworld.com/ its a great ressource for Maqam theory.
I agree, by ear is the way to go.
@samiroud Instagram
samiroudmaker@gmail.com
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danieletarab
Oud Junkie
Posts: 213
Registered: 1-18-2009
Location: Palermo (Italy)
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Mood: No Mood
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Don Homero, there are many things to learn. You should work on 3 things: 1) tecnique exercises 2) playing simple arabic pieces. 3) getting into maqam
theory.
We already gave you advices concerning the point 2. For what concerns point 3, I really suggest you to subscribe the MAQAM MASTERY PROGRAMM by oud for
guitarists. It's really helpful!
Moreover, when you play SAMAI, you will learn many maqamat and their modulations. On the other hand, LONGAS may be very useful for tecnique.
Always practice with metronome, and start very slow.
ENjoy your study!
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