iditis
Oud Admirer
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Registered: 10-18-2005
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OUD Design! Help Needed…
Dear forum members,
I am a product designer in the US. I have been assigned a project of redesigning an instrument, and I chose to work on the Oud. I am in the process
of designing a device or an electric instrument to aid with learning the basics of the Oud and improve the experience for amateur players (2-3 years
experience). The device will be used as an initial step to learning how to play the Oud for traditional and contemporary uses. I need all the help I
can get to learn more about the instrument from direct users and experienced ones. Please post any experiences or advice you can think of as you
started learning the instrument. If you can’t remember that far back, any experience or improvement of the instrument will be very useful. Images
would also be helpful.
Some ideas that were brought to my attention so far are:
1. Struggle with holding the instrument (ergonomics)
2. Placing the fingers appropriately (use of mirror as an aid)
3. Better grip when tightening the strings (in lap vs. on the floor)
4. Standing vs. Sitting
5. Specialized slot for the pick.
If you could have the perfect Oud, one that produces rich sound, fits within your environment, and meets your psychological and ergonomic needs, what
would you want in it?
Awaiting your replies, thank you!
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Multi Kulti
Oud Junkie
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I dont have a reply but i have a question....Why??
Nikos
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SamirCanada
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It is interesting to see someone concider making improvments to the oud. Only thing is that you will find that most that play the oud are much more
interested with ouds that were made 90 years ago then the brand new ones. There werent any major modifications made for quite some time now and I
think it is because to many its a perfect instrument.
I'll at least give you some insight into my oud player brain to guide you in your project.
The ergonomics of the oud are not a problem you get used to holding the oud in a couple of months. Also it would take away from what a oud is and
somehow I think the sound would change. One thing holding me back from buying a electric oud is because I think it could be hard to hold properly
without the rounded back since Iam used to it now.
To place the fingers aproprietly is a bit of a show and tell story. You need to see where the note is on the fingerboard and pratice what you have
seen. Some people put guides on the top of there neck.. like little stickers. When you tune the oud its common practice to tune the strings that use
the pegs facing up from the lap. And the pegs that face down you can do from the lap or from between your legs. Only thing is for shure your able to
push the pegs facing down( on the right when looking at the oud from the front) further in from between the legs and from time to time its necessary
but you can get by from the lap for all of them. Also if your pegs are to hard to turn from the lap and you need to grab the peg and pegbox tightly
and you have to put a lot of force, then your pegs are of badquality or need some lubricant like graphite for instance.
Verry few people play standing up because its not advantageous to do so and its not common either. I personaly play sitting on a strait chair or on a
stool with a foot rest.
Iam not shure if I understand what you mean for a specialized pick slot. Anyways the oud is played with a Risha. you can place it between the pegs or
under the strings when not being played.
For your last question, To me the oud is a perfect instrument in fact its named the prince of arab instruments because it comands a lot of respect.
Its verry soulfull in itself so if you were to ask how I want a oud to fit my enviroment and my needs. I see it more like if I have a one of a kind
oud like Farid el Atrache's oud made by Gamil georgis or Nahat. Then I would say that I would rather adapt myself to the oud rather then to adapt the
oud to me. I dunno if I was clear enough for you to get an idea but you should search the forrums there is extensive info on ouds about 3 years worth
of good info. Have fun!
Cheers
SAmir
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revaldo29
Oud Junkie
Posts: 418
Registered: 6-24-2004
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Hey,
A few things you may want to consider. A lot of people that purchase ouds in the U.S. get them shipped from other countries. Often times, these
instruments get damaged in transit. You may want to consider a certain type of material to put in the hard cases. Carrying cases are also very
important. Seeing as how many oud players are not native americans, I'm sure they do a lot of traveling. Maybe you can consider a carrying case that
provides both extensive protection, proper protection from humidity and light weight.
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SamirCanada
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Right on!
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iditis
Oud Admirer
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Thanks SAmir for taking the time to reply.
I want to clarify the project and its goals.
The design can be a device or instrument, this is not yet finalized. Depending on hardships people face learning the instrument and the comments I
receive I will decide that. I am aware that the instrument is amazing and that’s why I have picked it . The goal of the project is not to compete
with a Nahat or Shehata Oud. I want this project to improve the experience of learning the instrument. The oud is usually learned the fastest by
individuals who have exposure to family or friends that play the Oud. I want to design a device which helps a person learn if they didn’t have those
individuals or intensive cultural exposure. So basically it can be anything from software or an interface to an electric Oud. I hope it is clear
that this project isn’t saying the Oud has problems and a new one needs to be designed. In almost every instrument craft, personalization, age, and
sound quality are always valuable and essential aspects that will never go away, but this does not keep us from using technology to help walk
individuals of all backgrounds and abilities through the first steps of learning.
I am looking more for user feedback for this part of the project. Ergonomic problems or hardships in general mostly show up when we first buy the
product. Eventually we adapt to things but that does not mean that things can not be improved for the user so that adaptation is easier and less
intimidating. I am interested in problems faced when you started playing. Please share any improvements that come to your mind. Even if they might
not seem related to the post.
I hope the above answers Nikos and members that might be thinking the same.
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SamirCanada
Moderator
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Hey man the software idea is amazing. how about a virtual oud on your computer. 1 to make it easy to tune and 2 to explore the different notes on the
finger board and actually know what that note is. The reason why people that are close to a oud player learn faster is because there are few quality
books available. I learnt how to play ( It still hasnt been 2 years that I play oud.) and I got my knowlege from the Forrum and the learn to play
video on the home page of mikeouds.com But a software or even a properly writen book would be advancement. As far as modifying the oud itself I
wouldnt go into that to much. But definetly the Case Idea is suberb.
Cheers.
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sydney
Oud Junkie
Posts: 579
Registered: 12-9-2003
Location: Down Under
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Yeah,, A custom made DVD teaching all the tricks would be perfect.
Kind Regards,
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Emad
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revaldo29
Oud Junkie
Posts: 418
Registered: 6-24-2004
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Mood: inspired
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Speaking of software, I've always toyed with the idea of having online oud lessons. Maybe a software that will allow pros and amatures to link up via
webcam and have communication tools such as sheet music or a keyboard.
Another idea which may seem a little far fetched, have a practice oud/fingerboard that can plug into a computer and sync up with some kind of software
that aids in learning maqamat and basic skills. Maybe the fingerboard can be touch sensitive or something. I don't know if this has been done for any
other stringed instruments but I think it would be a great idea. Probably expensive though. I can't imagine anyone wanting to invest in such expensive
projects.
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Jason
Oud Junkie
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I think the software would be your best bet. Too often 'thinking outside the box' with musical instruments doesn't yield significant financial gains.
How many times have we seen new gimmicks on the guitar? Whether it's headless guitars, guitars with more strings, or guitars that model sounds of
other guitars... the Strats and Les Pauls will still outsell them 30 to 1.
An advantage you have with the software is that you can see what other product makers have done and figure out what works and what doesn't work. I
think it may also be helpful to attach a name to the software. Someone like Shaheen, Taian, or Shamma comes to mind.
Things to think about....
built in tuner
explanations of the different tunings
video and audio examples with variable tempo
database of taqsim arranged by maqam
basics of eastern music theory (many people picking up the oud know a little or a lot of western theory so a basic course in the differences could be
helpful)
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sydney
Oud Junkie
Posts: 579
Registered: 12-9-2003
Location: Down Under
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Mood: Bastanikar
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Jason
Things to think about....
built in tuner
explanations of the different tunings
video and audio examples with variable tempo
database of taqsim arranged by maqam
basics of eastern music theory (many people picking up the oud know a little or a lot of western theory so a basic course in the differences could be
helpful) |
May all your dreams come true 
Kind Regards,
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Emad
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