Where is the Oud Played?

Ouds in Egypt and Arabic countries

The Oud is played widely across the Middle East, including countries such as Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, and Iraq.  It has been used within North Africa and Spain, proving this wonderful instrument’s immense versatility and significant place within a variety of genres.  Each variation of the Oud and the style that is played on it, depending on the region it is in, is distinct in its own way.  What is so beautiful about the Oud is that it has been adapted in so many ways to suit a variety of genres, while it still has not lost the mystical and amazing unique flair that gives it its prominence in the world of music today.

There are many different types of Oud that have been developed in the last 100 years.  These Ouds include Persian, Iraqi, Syrian, Egyptian, Armenian, and .  This can then be further grouped into 3 overarching categories:  Persian, Arabic, Turkish Oud and even electric oud. The Egyptian Oud has become a staple instrument within Arab music in this particular country.  The Egyptian Oud, similar to the other Arabic Ouds like the instruments from Iraq and Syria, has its own uniqueness.

Listening to it, many agree that it has a slightly more heavy and low tone in comparison to other Arabic Ouds. Egyptian Ouds are also renowned for their highly decorative additions to the instrument, including colorful inlays on the fingerboard and scratchplate.  When comparing weights, is heavier than its Arabic counterparts, therefore affecting the sound and tone produced by the instrument.  Just like his fellow Arabic ouds, it has 5 courses included (GADGC). You will often find it has a single bass string tuned C.  If to put it in one sentence, due to the build and size of the Egyptian oud, it derives a rich & warm overtone giving it its unique regional sound.