The Oud Story

2025-01-31

Falah Al-Sayegh, Architect

February 2025

The oud is one of the most significant musical instruments in the Arab and Islamic world. With a history spanning thousands of years, it’s renowned for its melodious and versatile sound. The name “Oud” translates to “wooden sticks” in Arabic. Another recent interpretation by Seifed-Din Shehadeh Abdoun, in his thesis dated 2011, “The Oud Across Arabic Culture”, translates the name Oud as “come back.” “In Arabic, for instance, one can say to someone who is leaving or has already left, “oud” or (come back) to express the emotional feeling of nostalgia.”

Discovery of the Oud

The Ancient Oud: The oud’s history dates back to ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), where stone carvings depict musicians playing instruments resembling the oud. Examples of these archaeological evidences, in the form of cylinder seals, are exhibited at the British Museum in London (Fig 1) Late Uruk, ca 3100 BC, and another from the Akkadian period, production date 2400 BC-2200 BC (Fig 2). Although some scholars argue that these figures may not be conclusive, the debate continues.

Other ancient appearances of similar instruments are found in Egypt, such as a wall relief named Banquet Scene with Musicians from the tomb of Nakht (ca 1410-1370 BC), a 20th-century work exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum (Figs 3a, 3b). In Persia, particularly during the Sasanian period, another example (Fig 4a, 4b) is also displayed at the Metropolitan Museum.

Ancient civilizations overlapped culturally and borrowed from each other while evolving.

(Fig 1) Cylinder seal. Description Dark grey stone cylinder seal; two figures in a boat and a bull supporting an altar between them. One of the figures is seated and is probably playing the lute. Cultures/periods Late Uruk. Production date 3100 BC (circa). Museum number 141632. © The Trustees of the British Museum

(Fig 2) Cylinder Seal. Inscription. Partial is ``a kneeling, bearded figure playing a lute-like instrument``. Cultures/periods Akkadian. Production date 2400 BC-2200 BC. Museum Number 89096. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

(Fig 3a) Banquet Scene with Musicians Original is wall relief from the tomb of Nakht ca 1410-1370 BC Egypt. Showing is work by Hugh R. Hopgood in 1908–1914 (Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 15.5.19d, j–k).

(Fig 3b) Detail Banquet Scene with Musicians Original is wall relief from the tomb of Nakht ca 1410-1370 BC Egypt. Showing is work by Hugh R. Hopgood in 1908–1914 (Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 15.5.19d, j–k).

(Fig 4a) Title: Plate with youths and winged horses. Period: Sasanian. Date: ca. 5th–6th century CE. Object Number: 63.152. MET Museum NewYork USA. Public Domain.

(Fig 4b) Detail from Fig 5: In the background, a small cross-legged figure plays the lute.

Evolution of the Oud

Islamic Golden Age: During the Islamic Golden Age, between the 8th and 14th centuries, the craft of making the oud flourished due to the work of the philosophers and musicians such as Abu Nasr Muhamad Al-Farabi (ca 870 central Asia – ca 950 Syria), wrote musical books about oud playing techniques and its importance in music.
Andalusia: As Islamic culture moved to Andalusia (modern-day Spain), the oud became part of Andalusian music. Abu Al-Hasan Ali Ibn Nafi known as Ziryab (ca 789 Iraq – ca 857 Spain), a musician who played a major role in transferring oud playing techniques and craft skills to Europe.
Medieval Europe: In Europe, the oud transformed into a new musical instrument known as the “lute” and continued to influence music until the Renaissance.

The oldest existing oud is exhibited in the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels, Belgium. Made in Syria before 1839. Maker Unknown. (Fig 5a and Fig 5b)

(Fig 5a)

(Fig 5b)

The Design and Construction of the Oud

Oud making is a very sensitive and delicate operation. The entire process requires a deep understanding of the materials and a high level of craftsmanship to produce an oud that is both visually appealing and acoustically excellent.

The oud is traditionally made from wood. Each step of its production, from the selection of the wood to the final tuning, demands precision and expertise.

(Fig 6) image source: Introduction to the Oud Instrument, Delaramm. 2024

(Fig 7) Oud Luthier Faruk Turunz at his workshop in Istanbul, Tukiye. image source: CNN Travel, ``Istanbul's oud-master produces a soundtrack to the city``.

The instrument’s distinctive pear-shaped body must be carefully crafted to ensure that it not only looks beautiful but also resonates with a rich, warm tone.

Oud Main Features:

Shape: The oud is characterized by its pear-shaped body, typically made of high-quality wood such as walnut or rosewood. This shape helps produce a rich and deep sound.
Soundbox: The large soundbox is the main element that amplifies the sound and produces rich tones. The soundbox is covered with a thin layer of white wood such as Cedar or Spruce around 1.5 – 2mm thick braced with internal bridges.

Neck and Strings: The oud has a short, fretless neck, allowing the player to produce different tones by changing finger positions. It usually has five double strings played with a plectrum made of feathers or plastic and the sixth string is single.
The length of the String: They drive the tuning and give the sound its flavor, which vary between the three different Oud schools since the shorter the string length, the higher pitch obtained.The Iraqi School applies the shortest strings of 57 cm from the neck to the movable bridge, while the Egyptian is 60 cm and the Turkish is 57.5 cm.

Oud Typs: There are two types of Oud commonly used nowadays: the fixed bridge (Fig 8) and the floating bridge (Fig 9). In the fixed bridge, the strings are directly tied to the bridge. In the floating bridge, the strings run over the bridge and are tied at the end of the soundboard. The second type of Oud allows the strings to be under higher tension, resulting in higher sound projection.

(Fig 8) Fixed Bridge, Image source: Oud Strings.

(Fig 9) Floating Bridge. Image Source: Oud Strings.

Tuning and Adjustment

Harmony and Tuning: The oud’s tuning varies according to the school and musical style. The strings range from high to low tones, giving the oud great flexibility in composition and playing.
Modern Developments: With the evolution of music, new strings and innovative designs have been added to the oud to improve sound quality and expand the tonal range.

Oud Luthiers

An oud luthier, the artisan who crafts the oud, typically learns the trade within their family, making it a generational craft and a family business. The head master luthier is called Ustah or Ustath out of respect. The maker of the oud usually signs his name and date on the oud, it can be located inside the oud or at the lower part or it can be carved in the design of the rosette. The luthiers sometimes used to teach students how to play the oud.

Notable Iraqi Oud Luthiers: the most famous Iraqi luthier of the 1950s was the late Ustah Ali Al-Ouad. He crafted ouds for many of the first-generation oud musicians in Iraq. Another renowned Iraqi oud maker from the 1960s to 1980s was the late Muhammad Fathel Hussain and his sons. They established a stellar reputation in Arab countries, producing the finest ouds for top musicians and composers such as Al-Sunbatie and others in the region.

Prominent Syrian Oud Luthiers: in Syria, well-known and reputable luthiers include Abdo Nahat, George Hayek, Hanna Nahat, and Muhammad Khalifa. These artisans introduced ornate decorations to the face and sound box of the oud, such as Sadaf (mother-of-pearl) work, a famous craft in Syria.

Renowned Egyptian Oud Luthiers: Egypt boasts skilled oud luthiers such as Gamil Georges, and Baker Dagher. These craftspeople have made significant contributions to the oud-making tradition.

Distinguished Turkish Oud Luthiers: in Turkey, Ustath Faruk Turunz is a notable luthier who implemented innovative techniques in wood selection by applying vibration methods and using double soundboards instead of single ones, enhancing the quality and sound of the oud.

(Fig 10) Museum Fine Arts Boston USA. Oud made in 1928, Syria, maker Tawfik Nahat (Syria 1896-1946).

(Fig 11a Front) Metroplolotan Museum New York USA, Title: Ūd. Maker: Manol (Emmanuel Venios) (Greek, active Turkeyi, Folegandros 1838–1915/16 Istanbul). Date: 1916. Geography: Istanbul, Turkeyi.

(Fig 11b Back) Metroplolotan Museum New York USA, Title: Ūd. Maker: Manol (Emmanuel Venios) (Greek, active Turkey, Folegandros 1838–1915/16 Istanbul). Date: 1916. Geography: Istanbul, Turkey.

Schools of Oud Playing

Iraqi School

Style: The Iraqi school is known for its traditional and professional style of playing, using precise tones and paying attention to melodic details. Iraqi players are known for their high skills and ability to produce complex tones.
Famous Players: One of the prominent Iraqi players is Naseer Shamma, who has presented many musical pieces that blend authenticity with modernity .
The First Oud Masters, Jamil Basheer, Mounir Basheer, Salman Shukur, Ali Al-Emam, Moataz Al-Bayaty, and Khalid Mohamed Ali, are the teaching masters of the oud in Iraq. They have mastered various musical pieces and have performed extensively.

(Fig 12) Munir Bashir (1930 Iraq - 1997 Hungary). *

(Fig 13) Salman Shukur (1921 Iraq - 2007 Iraq). *

(Fig 14) Naseer Shama. (1963 Iraq - present). Image source: Naseer Shamma website.

Levantine School

Style: The Levantine school, including Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, is characterized by poetic and romantic styles. It relies on delicate melodies and touching tones that reflect deep emotions.
Famous Players: The Rahbani Brothers are among the famous players in this school, having presented timeless musical pieces.

(Fig 15) Fairouz and husband Assi Rahbani. *

(Fig 16) Rahbani Brothers. Assi Rahbani (1923 Lebanon -1986 Lebanon ) and Mansour Rahbani (1925 Lebanon- 2009 Lebanon). *

Egyptian School

Style: The Egyptian school is characterized by emotional and lively tones, with a significant influence on modern Arab music. Egyptian players are known for their strong emotional expression and ability to blend melodies attractively.
Famous Players: Riyad Al-Sunbati and Muhammad Abdel Wahab are among the most important Egyptian players who left a significant mark in the history of Arab music.

(Fig 17) Um Kalthoum (1898 Egypt - 1975 Egypt) and Riad Al- Sunbati (1906 Egypt - 1981 Egypt). *

(Fig 18) Muhammad Abdul Al-Whab (1898 Egypt - 1991 Egypt). *

(Fig 19) Farid Al-Atrash (1917 Syria - 1974 Lebanon). Active in Egypt.*

Turkish School

Style: The Turkish school is known for its Ottoman influences and its blending of Eastern and Western music, producing rich and complex tones. Turkish players are known for their ability to produce a wide variety of tones using different playing techniques.
Famous Players: Prominent Turkish players include Sherif Muhiddin Targan (Haydar), he became the dean of the Baghdad Conservatory 1934-1948, Yurdal Tokcan and Arif Bey, all contributed to spreading traditional Turkish music globally.

(Fig 20) Sherif Muhiddin Targan (1892 Turkiye -1967 Turkiye). *

(Fig 21) Yurdal Tokcan (1966 Turkiye). *

Cultural Influences

The oud, was influenced by many ancient civilizations in its development. Throughout history, it has been integral to religious and social events, celebrations, and continues to hold this role today. Oud concerts and musical performances are cherished for the feelings of happiness, wellness, and relaxation they bring.

In recent history, solo oud performances in the form of concerts have increased in popularity and have been greatly appreciated by music lovers. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Arabic oud became a key instrument in music and performances across the Middle East. It was prominently featured in the music of renowned singers, attracting thousands and even millions of people to concerts and live radio transmissions.

(Fig 22)

(Fig 23)

(Fig 24)

(Fig 25)

(Fig 26)

[(Fig 22) Dāʾūd & Ṣalāḥ al-Kuwaytī with Yūsuf Zaʿarūr and their group in Baghdad in 1935. (Fig 23) Nadhim Al-Ghazali, (1921 Iraq -1963 Iraq). (Fig 24) Um Kalthoum, (1898 Egypt – 1975 Egypt). ( Fig 25) Wadih Al-Safi, (1921 Lebanon – 2013 Lebanon). ( Fig 26) Sabah Fakhri, (1933 Syria – 2021Syria). *

In recent decades, new approaches and activities have influenced the culture of the oud, resulting in several notable developments:

International Performances: Increasingly well renowned oud players from the Middle East are holding concerts outside their countries and being invited to participate in international music events and concerts around the world.
Fusion Genres: Musicians have started blending traditional oud music with various genres such as jazz, rock, and electronic music, creating unique and innovative sounds.
Educational Initiatives: Institutions and private instructors have launched programs to teach the art of playing the oud, preserving its heritage while encouraging new talent.
Academic Studies: The academic study of the oud has also advanced, with musicians and scholars obtaining higher degrees in the subject. This progress has made information on the topic more accessible and available to both scholars and the public.
Collaborations: Oud players are increasingly collaborating with artists from different cultural and musical backgrounds, fostering cross-cultural exchanges and enriching the global music scene.
Promoting Humanitarian Causes: Today, the influence of the oud and its musicians has a wider reach and is used to promote humanitarian causes and raise social awareness. For example, musicians often participate in benefit concerts and use their platforms to support various charitable and peace initiatives.

(Fig 27) International Performances: Naseer Shamma Concert in Saudi Arabia 2018. Image: Naseer Shamma website.

(Fig 28) Promoting Humanitarian Causes: Naseer Shamma concert on the occasion of the International Day of Refugees at Al Salam Camp, Baghdad 2016. Image: Naseer Shamma website.

(Fig 29) Fusion Geners: Naseer Shamma and Waynton Marsalis at the 2017 Jazz festival in the French city of Marsilles. Image source: Naseer Shamma website.

(Fig 30) Collaborations: Naseerr Shamma playing the Oud and Ashraf Sharif Khan playing the Sitar. image source: Naseer Shamma website.

(Fig 31) Promoting Humanitarian Causes: Mustafa Zair and Peace Orchestra Preforming at the Rashid Theater, Baghdad, Iraq 2021. Image source: Music as a medium for peace: UNDP supports Iraqi Peace Orchestra. 17 December 2021.

(Fig 32) International performances: James Tawadros, Joseph Tawadros, Benjamin Northey and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Photo © Daniela Testa. Image source : Angus McPherson on 21 June, 2019 Lime light, music art and culture Music of the Oud (Sydney Symphony Orchestra).

Exploring the history of the oud and the various schools of playing provides a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse musical culture it represents.

Opening Image: Nasser Shamma and conductor Alla’a Majeed at the Iraqi National National Theater, Baghdad, Iraq, 2022. Image source: AP Photo / Hadi Mizaban.

Notes:

Material presented in this article is based on personal information and research to the best of the author’s knowledge.
Images references are as indicated, other wise an image without a clear author date and source, a description is added and marked with *.

Bibliography:

Abdoun, Seifed-Din Shehadeh, The Oud Across Arabic Culture (Bilād al-Shām, Iraq, and Egypt), Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, 2011.
Oud Migration website. https://om.rachelbeckleswillson.com/
Naseer Shamma website.https://www.shammamusic.com
British Museum, London, UK.
Metropolitan Museum, New York, USA .
Museum Fine Arts Boston, USA.
Musical Instruments Museum, Brussel, Belgium.

About Falah Al-Sayegh,

Falah Al-Sayegh, an accomplished architect, was born in Najaf, Iraq, and immigrated with his family to Canada in 1995. He graduated from Baghdad University, College of Engineering, Department of Architecture. Falah’s career in architecture began with designing residential buildings. In 1978, he moved to Abu Dhabi, UAE, where he worked with various contracting and consultancy firms. Over 35 years, he advanced his career significantly, contributing to numerous projects.

Aside from his architectural career, Falah is passionate about music, especially the oud. He owns two of these exquisite instruments and began learning to play at the age of 19 in Baghdad, his teacher the oud luthier Muhammad Al-Ouad. While in Abu Dhabi, he attended the Oud House, where he studied under the direction of the renowned musician Naseer Shamma, to enhance his skills further. Falah continues to play the oud with friends’ groups in both Toronto and Abu Dhabi.