Oud

About This Instrument

The oud is a short-necked, pear-shaped fretless stringed instrument with a deep, warm tone. Its name derives from the Arabic word for 'wood,' and it has been played for over 5,000 years across the Middle East, North Africa, and Mediterranean regions. The absence of frets allows for microtonal playing and the ornamental slides characteristic of Arabic maqam music. With its 11 or 13 strings arranged in courses, the oud produces a rich, resonant sound that forms the backbone of classical Arabic, Turkish, and Persian musical traditions.

Typical Usage

The oud holds a revered position as 'the king of instruments' in Arabic music, serving as the primary instrument for exploring maqam (modal) systems. It accompanies vocal performances in traditional Arabic classical music (tarab), provides the melodic foundation in Turkish fasıl ensembles, and features prominently in Andalusian music. Beyond traditional contexts, the oud has crossed into jazz fusion and world music, with contemporary players bridging Eastern and Western musical vocabularies.

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