TruePharaoh21
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Arabic Violin
Hey guys,
I realize that this is an oud website, but considering we have so many musicians here, as well luthiers, I decided that perhaps I'd give this a shot.
I've been dabbling with the idea of getting an arabic violin for some time, and I may be nearing some point where I'm finally seriously considering
it. But I have a few questions... answers to any of these would be very much appreciated.
What is the difference between an arabic violin and the European ones? Are there structural differences, as in between Turkish and Arabic ouds, or is
it simply a different tuning? And if there is a difference, where would I be able to find an arabic violin? Is there a certain price range that I
should be looking at? I know, the prices vary from 2 cents to thousands and thousands of dollars. I'm not looking for the Nahat or Karibyan of violins
(no Stradivaris or Amatis or anything). Just a great sounding violin (we have several ouds here that people have acquired for a fraction of the cost
of what you would expect... some people find Nahats on ebay *ahem ahem*  ).
I'm not looking for a "beginner" violin, as I believe that a good approach to any instrument should be started with a good instrument. I've checked
ebay, and I found a very startling thing... some violins (the 4/4 ones) can go for a few bucks, most go for about 50, and so on. Now I wonder, though,
would the quality of a 50 dollar e-bay violin be the same (or worse) than the quality of a 50 dollar e-bay oud (not counting the rare exceptions when
people don't know what they're selling).
I also read on some sites that it's not the sound that determines the price (though it is a factor). Apparently, the violin maker's reputation, the
country it was made in, etc. is somewhat more important (though I don't see why... I mean, sure there are trends to every great luthier, but still...
I'd figure sound tone would be the major determining factor.)
Any information would be very much appreciated!
TP21
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SamirCanada
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I had that same Idea TP. I did some research and found out that people have adapted what used to be the rebaba to the violin. There 's a different
tuning that is used but in all other aspect its a regular western violin. Violin is great to learn the maqamat since you can sustain the notes longer
and you can get a continuous sound when going from a note to another. The main dificulty for a oud player is that the bow behaves totaly diffrently
then a risha of course and its a difficult technique to get used to Also since the fingerboard is shorter and so is the scale then your fingers are
used to a precise gap between notes on the oud then the one on the violin so you have to play around with it. I think most violins you get for under
500$ or so are mass produced of course there's different quality but for the main part I think its much like a accoustic guitar now days. I say this
because I played a 250$ violin mass produced from China it had a ebony finger board and pegs that held well. the micro tuners at the base of the
violin were decent quality the sound was as good as it gets for a beginer because in violin the only way to get a nice true sound with all the
subtilities is the bow technique and that takes years to accomplish. So the best option I discovered for me was this. I went to a local violin
dealer/shop and I rented a violin for 3 months the price to buy the violin was 250$ but I paid 25$ to rent it for 3 months. I also discovered that
violin is not for me and I was happy to have rented it.
Good Luck hope you have more succes then I did at it! hehe
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Brian Prunka
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stringworks makes very good instruments for their price range.
http://www.stringworks.com
i think they start at $350 and go up in increments of $100 or so . . . i have one of their cellos and it's good.
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TruePharaoh21
Oud Junkie
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Location: California, USA
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So I'm just guessing here, but would it be safe to say that if the violin was say... 50 bucks (free shipping) from ebay, it perhaps would sound like a
cat scratching its eyes out, even if a master were to play on it?
TP21
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Jason
Oud Junkie
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TP...
That would be correct. I play double bass but I've had a lot of experience with string instruments of varying quality. A cheap violin would (you
guessed it) have horrible tuners, poor tone, but most of all... poor playability. Another thing to consider is the bow.... a cheap bow may not
function properly and it certainly won't have any bounce or sufficient grip.
As with ouds, I must reccomend a mid-level instrument, preferrably used. If you end up selling it you can probably get your money back out of it.
Another thing I would reccomend is atleast a few introductory lessons. I understand that arabic fiddling is much different from 'classical' playing
but the basics of holding the fiddle, holding the bow, producing a good sound, fingerings, etc. are the same.
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SamirCanada
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Thats true Jason.
Isnt there someone in KanZaman that could give you a lesson or two with there violin? Really what you want to know before you get into purchasing one
is if your going to stick with it.
my 0.02$
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TruePharaoh21
Oud Junkie
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Registered: 3-17-2003
Location: California, USA
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Oh, I can definitely ask the violinists there. I've just come to this decision this week, but unfortunately, I will not be able to attend rehearsal
this week because of an Organic Chemistry midterm, as well as a Neuroanatomy midterm. But next week, I'll definitely ask the guys. Just wanted your
take on it.
TP21
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SamirCanada
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Get your priorities strait bro! ( kanZaman vs... midterms)
hehehe just kidding.
I finished my midterms this week but I tell you I cant be anywhere near my oud if Iam going to study.. its just to much of a distraction.
Good luck TP
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revaldo29
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Ahh organic chemistry,
I feel as if that course has robbed me of my oud. I used to have about half an hour everyday to spend with my oud. Now, I feel guilty everytime
I touch it because I know that i'm supposed to be studying. I've found myself spending 2 hours on my oud and thinking it was only 20 minutes.
TP, I asked a very similar question a few weeks ago and decided to wait til christmas vacation and go rent a violin like samir recommended. By
that time, i'll have more time to spend I'll be working more and have a little more cash in my pockets to pay for lessons.
Adnan
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TruePharaoh21
Oud Junkie
Posts: 789
Registered: 3-17-2003
Location: California, USA
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Mood: Loving the Oud
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I actually force myself to stay in school the entire day. For example, I had three hours of actual class today (neuroscience), but by the end of
today, I will have been in school for a total of 12 hours. I can't study at home because of my ouds. Believe me, I know of its distractive elements.
That's why I wait until I get home at about 10:30 PM, and then I get to play whatever I like for a half hour to an hour. If I decide to play longas
and small compositions, I feel like I've accomplished a lot. But I usually go and play one Om Kolthoum song, and by then, everyone's asleep in the
house. (It's been Hagartak for the last few days... just fine tuning it... I think I'll move onto Ana Fe Intizarak once my midterms are done... spend
a few days learning that).
God bless the oud. It's kicked me out of my house.
TP21
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