How to choose your oud?

Purchasing an oud for the first time may appear to be a straightforward decision, but it is far more significant than most people realize. When looking for an oud, it's not simply about buying the first one those appeals to you. Choosing an oud is like deciding on your identity because each Oud has its unique soul that should reflect your musical personality and style.

If you're a more reserved person with a passion for the arts, an oud like Ryad Al Soumbaty's Oud can be a good fit for you. The sound of his Oud is different from other ouds in that it is more profound, meeker, and gentler, which allows him to convey his feelings through his music better. When he plays the Oud, he creates music with a more Taqseem feel, which makes extensive improvisation. The Egyptian Oud is most likely what you're looking for if this is what you're looking for.

Things to consider for Beginners and advance ouds:

When shopping for an oud, there are a few things to consider. These are the components.

Size: When selecting an oud, it is critical to pay attention to the Oud's size. In addition to the standard-sized ouds, there are "Zenne Ouds," specifically designed for women. The so-called "Arabic Oud" is a larger-than-average lute. In addition, smaller-sized ouds are available for youngsters. The most important thing is to choose the right fit for your body type.

Shape: It is important to note that several elements determine the shape of the Oud. The shape of the cover board, the boat's length, the width and depth of the boat, and the molds of different masters all impact the final product. One's desire is critical in this situation.

The workmanship is critical to the long-term success of oud players and their instruments. A poor sound can come from excellent materials and workmanship instruments. Thus everything must be in its proper place.

Material: The material of the decorations added to the Oud is more significant than the value of elements such as the cover board, keyboard, and augers made of excellent material.

Weight: In general, lighter and more efficient instruments are desired, although those that retain more water are also highly effective.

Balance of Wire Height: The keyboard's distance from the user's hand rises, leading the wire height to become unbalanced, resulting in a jerky typing experience. Because of this, pressing may be tough. Printed sounds may provide a scratchy sound. As a result, the Oud will have to be serviced. The necessity of keeping this in mind when playing Oud cannot be overstated.

Width and Thickness of Handle: Measurement of the Handle's Depth and Width The handle's thickness and width are critical to proper wire management. Because the handle is so narrow, the wires are much closer together than they should be. The keyboard's extra width makes it more user-friendly. As a result, it is essential to examine the keyboard's width.

Plump Rift: It's possible to generate a non-musical sound when playing a stringed instrument with a plump rift if you're playing near your chest. That's why it's a good idea to keep the chest in the plectrum.

Tuning: The augers' function in tuning ensures that the correct sound is created. Therefore this stage should not be omitted. It's critical to prevent augers from slipping or wires from becoming loose.

Straightness of the fingerboard: To determine the keyboard's smoothness, listen to how the left hand's fingers sound when they press down on a wire. It can be difficult to obtain the desired tone when the keyboard's flatness is compromised due to pitting or swelling. Because of this, the smoothness of the keyboard should be tested at the time of purchase.

Balance of Wire Height: The keyboard's distance from the user's hand rises, leading the wire height to become unbalanced, resulting in a jerky typing experience. Because of this, pressing may be tough. Printed sounds may provide a scratchy sound. As a result, the Oud will have to be serviced. 

Final Remarks!

So, the time has arrived to fulfill your lifelong ambition of learning to play the Oud. Abd El Wahab and Munir Bashir are both playing in your headphones. For the sake of your health, it's time to locate the appropriate Oud. There are a lot of ouds out there, so before we get started, take a deep breath.