Recently I’ve been really wracking my brain around something. And I think I need your help with it. I’m really wondering… where the Oud is going… for me, for the world, for everyone… Where are we taking the Oud? I want to know what’s next. I wrote a post on MikeOud Forums about it… I wrote: “I’ve always been interested in encouraging the development of the Oud in education, in…
Read MoreThoughts on The Persian Radif
I was emailing an OudforGuitarists subscriber about the Persian Radif of Persian traditional music and I thought I’d share some of my thoughts about the Radif here in relation to his questions. The question was basically: What is the role of Radif for a performer? Is memorization of the radif necessary? “As for memorization, even I have not memorized the radif. This idea is a remnant of the past where…
Read MoreBuy Your Dream Oud – An Ultimate Guide for You
I’ve recently made some updates to the Ultimate Oud Buyers’ Guide so you have the most up-to-date information about buying an Oud. I’ve also created a new PDF format that you can download and read on your own time. To download, click the picture above, enter your name and email address and click the checkbox to receive emails. I will email you the Ultimate Oud Buyers’ Guide right away and…
Read MoreYildirim Palabiyik Oud: First Sounds
So I’ve been playing this Yildirim Palabiyik Oud for a couple weeks now, but I made a video of what it sounds like basically after getting it in tune the same day after unboxing. My first reaction to this Oud was that the sound was incredibly balanced from high string to low string. It gives a clear, crisp, yet mellow sound. The strings are still new and I’m breaking them…
Read MoreYildirim Palabiyik Oud UNBOXING
Recent events have taught me that I have a lot to learn about what makes a good Oud, and what a good Oud sounds like. Enter: Yildirim Palabiyik Oud. In December, I ordered a Yildirim Palabiyik Oud. I’ve been dying to get my hands on one. Anyway, it arrived last month, just as I was leaving the country for vacation. I got back last week and I was finally able to…
Read MoreExactly What To Do When You Learn Maqams
In the last few posts, we’ve talked about some of the big mistakes I’ve made trying to learn maqams. The 3 mistakes were: Taking theory books too seriously Thinking that maqams are scales Trying to do it all by myself Most people believe they need to know a lot of theory and a lot of details in order for maqams to flow through you musically, and authentically. Instead,…
Read MoreWhat Not To Do When Learning Maqams [Part 2]
Imagine being able to come home from work, kick off your shoes, sit on the couch and grab your Oud, and start playing a taqsim. Or play your new favourite song even when you don’t have the notation. This may seem like a dream, but it’s more realistic than you realize. I taught myself Arabic music and figured out Arabic maqams by myself. It took a very…
Read More2017 Highlights & Step-by-Step Taqasim
2017 is going by fast. It has been a very eventful year. I haven’t released any new videos on YouTube in a while, but a few things developed which you can totally take advantage of right now. You can now hear my self-recorded and self-released solo Oud album. And it’s free. I’m working on a new project with Cumbus with Oud strings. I would love to hear your opinion on a rough…
Read MoreTeaching Oud in Japan
Here I am with my Oud in Japan. I’ve visited Japan a few times since 2010, and this is the first time I dared to bring my Oud to Japan. I decided that on this trip I would contact some Japanese middle eastern musicians this time because… hey, there are A LOT of Darbuka, and Oud players there… And, why not… So here’s the short of how it went: …
Read MoreTaqasim Program – Research Begins
A couple weeks ago I announced that I would be creating a step-by-step taqasim learning program. I’m not talking about a “learn someone else’s taqasim” program. This will get you to the point where you can create your own taqasim. Response The response confirmed that this program is needed and wanted in the Oud learning world. So it’s happening, it’s a go! What’s Next? I have been compiling recordings of…
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