The oud is one of the most important instruments in West Asian music, and honestly, it is one of those instruments that feels ancient the moment you hear it. It has a deep, warm, earthy sound that immediately pulls you into another world. If you are just starting to learn oud online, one of the first things worth understanding is that the oud is not just another string instrument. It…
Read MoreBest Oud Strings: What I Learned the Hard Way
4 minute read A few years ago, when I lived in North America, I didn’t fully appreciate how easy it was to find the best Oud strings. Walk into any decent music store or hop online — options everywhere. Now that I live in Japan, finding good strings is a little more challenging. And that challenge recently sent me down an interesting rabbit hole. I decided to save some money…
Read MoreOud Tremolo Technique: Avoid This Common Mistake to Master Tremolo
The oud tremolo technique is an essential skill for any oud player, helping to create fluid, expressive, and fast-paced melodies. However, many players struggle with tremolo due to improper right-hand technique. In this post, we’ll break down the most common mistake and show you the correct way to develop a smooth and controlled tremolo. The Most Common Tremolo Mistake If your tremolo sounds uneven or feels tiring, chances are you’re…
Read MoreHow to Hold the Oud Risha for Better Technique and Control
If you’re learning the Oud, mastering your right-hand technique is crucial for developing a strong sound. One of the most overlooked aspects is how to hold the Oud risha (AKA plectrum, mizrap, rishi, or mezrab). In this post, we’ll break down the proper grip, common mistakes, and why thumb position is so important. Watch: How to Hold the Risha Why Holding the Oud Risha Correctly Matters The way you hold…
Read MoreArabic vs Turkish Oud: How to Choose – A Sound Comparison
Arabic vs Turkish Oud? That is the question… Are you thinking about buying your first oud? With so many options out there, it can feel overwhelming to pick the right one. You might have already come across my Ultimate Oud Buyer’s Guide, where I explain how Arabic and Turkish ouds differ in sound. But sometimes, hearing the difference yourself can make the decision much easier. If you’ve been scouring the…
Read MoreThe Best Oud Tuning for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you new to playing the oud and wondering where to start with tuning? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best oud tuning for beginners: the DO-DO tuning, also known as C to C tuning. This tuning is not only easy to understand but also provides an excellent foundation for mastering the basics of the oud. What Is DO-DO Tuning? DO DO tuning, or C to C, refers…
Read MoreNew Oud Music
I have slowly been releasing some new oud music on all the streaming platforms. Here’s a new EP I released last year. A random taqsim I recorded in response to Spotify CEO’s remarks about content cost being close to zero. A taqsim in the Ottoman makam Şivenüma.
Read MoreThe #1 Tool EVERY Artist Needs
Are you a musician starting out? Do you have a following on social media? Do you want to guarantee your long-term success whether you teach music or sell out gigs? I’ve been teaching Oud online for over 10 years, and the tool that has helped me the most over the years was not social media. It’s my email list. You may have followers on social media, but can you guarantee…
Read MoreModulation Series – Maqam Nahawand to Maqam Nawa Athar
Here’s a simple modulation between Nahawand and Maqam Nawa Athar. They share many of the same notes and they also share the same tonic so it’s fairly easy to move between them. But it’s how you pull it off that makes your audience feel the switch like a sweet kiss on the cheek. Looking for more modulations that you can do on Oud? Check out the Oud Learning All-Access Pass.
Read MoreNahawand to Saba – Modulation series
This month I have something special for you on YouTube; you’ll see a modulation from Maqam Nahawand to Maqam Saba. One of the hallmarks of a good oud player with a good knowledge of maqam is the ability to move from one maqam to another. We call this modulation. It happens a lot in middle eastern music, in songs, and improvisation, the Art of Taqasim. As we become better and…
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