Introducing: The Arabic Oud 

Well done

Brandon should have a parallel career as an audiobook reader. His voice is perfect.

The oud is not only itself a predecessor for the European lute, but it gave the lute its name! Arabic "al-'ud" gave something like "laud" in old Romance languages, then via French it came into English. Spanish still uses the name "laúd" for the lute.

My dad is a oud player, haven't seen him for two years. This video brought tears to my eyes. Whenever you mention something that my dad already told me about, I would nod my head with approval, like, yup that's right yes correct :D

I play Oud for 9 years and I wouldn't have thought that a western gentleman would play this good with a proper Oud vibrato not to mention that you had to dig into the many different scales the microtones has left. Absolutely awesome man!

Being a vampire. His knowledge must have come from his travels around the world in ancient times.

8:29 The reason you were reminded of the "theme of pulp fiction" might be more fascinating than you think. The theme is actually a surf rock cover of "Misirlou", a Greek or middle eastern love song about an Egyptian woman. It was first recorded in the 1920 and also has lyrics. The origins of the melody might reach back even further. I find it fascinating that you were reminded of that tune, because when I heard the pulp fiction theme, I immediately felt it had something Eastern about it.

As a Texan I’m so used to blues, country, and rock (closest to ethnic music we got here) it’s fascinating to hear Middle Eastern music. I love it! 👍🏼

بصفتي شخص عربي اشكرك على تقديمك العود بهذه الطريقه. من الواضح انك اجتهدت على هذه الحلقه وقدمتها بطريقة رائعة رغم صعوبة العود

- Don't you dare get out of your comfort zone... Brandon Acker: - Fretn't

For someone who is just "scratching the surface", you play so well.

I don’t understand a single thing about instruments and yet I can’t stop watching your videos. Also I’m Arab so this was really fun to watch:)

I'm Somali and I play the oud. The world recently lost Ahmed Ismail Hussein (إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعون) due to the coronavirus. He was known as the King of Oud and he's the reason why I begged my parents for an oud and why I still play to this day. EDIT: spelling

The theme from “Pulp Fiction” is actually an old Lebanese song, “miserlou.” Dick Dale, the guitarist, was Lebanese-American. So it’s kind of awesome that an old Middle Eastern song becomes a surf rock hit, which in turn becomes a hit again when featured in a movie, which is what you think of when...you play an Arabic oud. Music: actually pretty awesome.

تقديم جميل ومحترف، لم يكن تقديم للعود فقط بل هو تقديم للموسيقى الشرقية، اتمنى ان نرى منك المزيد مما يخص الموسيقى الشرقية.

Not since Bob Ross have I heard such a peaceful, humble, genuine soul speak.

Legend says Brandon still hearts comments to this day ❤

Fun fact: That theme from Pulp Fiction is actually a 1962 surf rock classic by Dick Dale. It's called "Misirlou" and is actually an Easter Mediterranean folk song which Dale made a surf rock version of, so no wonder the Hijaz scale reminds you of it - it's arguable the most famous song based on the Hijaz scale! 🔥🔥🔥

i am from tunisia and i am so surprised and happy that you know about the country because the majority stub me in the heart by saying this "where is that!, is it in europe ?" thank you brandon for mention it you already put a smile on my face i love you.

This contributed to me buying an Oud for myself, I decided on a Turkish one, though. There are no local sellers so I got one online and it should arrive in September from Turkey! Wish me luck in learning, and thank you for introducing this wonderful instrument to me!

The Moorish invasions is also the reason why there's a lot of Phrygian in traditional Spanish music, Spain was influenced by the Arabic people a lot. And not just in music, also in architecture and language, and probably other arts too.

the theme from pulp fiction actually is based on an eastern mediterranean tune called misirlou which is traditionally played on the oud!

I was amazed by a western musician that understands Maqams, and he had to play a Tunisian song at the end ! Impressive !!!!

Some members of my family used to play the Oud, including my brother. It has such a distinctive, nostalgic sound to it. I love the rare occasions when composers use it in their music to add an Arabian feel to it, it makes me happy.

Fun fact: the Arabic root ع و د actually means to bend flexibly, to return after bending. The derived word oud عود means wood, but it also refers to supple, flexible strength. Something you need when playing the oud or any stringed instrument!

Easy to see how "al-'oud" turned into the word "lute".

As a Turkish citizen, this is the very first time that I see an oud withOUT any ornament on sound holes. But this guy is so nice and humble that I feel relaxed and learning at the same time listening to him.

Props for playing Hafouine in the background ❤

Damnit, I have basically an identical video that I'm editing at the moment. Very clear and understandable explanation, although I would add that maqams shouldn't be viewed simply as "scales". In fact a maqam (often translated as "modes" actually) are made up of tetra (or penta)chords in which the notes can kind of change. So Maqam Hijaz consists of two tetrachords (called "jins"), the first of which is always the "Hijaz jins" which is the four first notes that you played in the scale. The second half of the scale can be made up of another tetrachord, you used the "Nahawand jins" in this case which is most common but this can vary and sometimes change or be modulated in the middle of a song or improvisation but still remain a Hijaz Maqam. As another example, if you play the Hijaz jins/tetrachord followed by another Hijaz jins you end up with a variation on Hijaz called "Hijaz Kar". Also the maqams or modes of Arabic/Turkish/Armenian music usually contain certain moods that are to be evoked, or recurring phrasing for example. So referring to them simply as scales is simplifying it a little bit. I like your playing, and the Oud sounds fantastic. You have a great tone in your playing, especially for someone who just picked up the instrument. Keep up the good work! EDIT: I have now finished and posted my video, which you can find here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mVY1apvItM4.html

My brother plays oud very well When i was a child i used to hear him playing the most beautiful tunes I ever Heard, after war we had to flee, He bought another oud to make Peace again in our souls ❤️❤️❤️❤️ A very beautiful Instrument

I always loved the sounds of the Middle-Eastern instruments. They have a characteristic to them that I can't really explain.

Thank you for this beautiful video. I am Turkish and i actually live in Üsküdar, Istanbul :). We have a lot of shares with Arabian culture majorly heritage of The Ottoman Empire and i just love the way their music plays especially with the Ud (Oud). Feels so soft, satisfying and relieving to both playing and listening..

Greetings from Tunisia ♥ It's so nice to see such a beautiful instrument get some recognition in the west. Hope you visit us one day and do a show here ♥ This was a very special episode for me.

As a musician who's from the middle east, this is the coolest video I've seen because this is the true representation of oud. I like how he has so much knowledge about it, keep it up! Edit: love from Iraq! 💜

اشكرك من قلبي لصناعة هذه الحلقة المميزة جدا عن الة شرقية عريقة وهي الة العود واعجبت جدا بطرقة عزفك وادائك السلس لم اشعر للحظه ان من يقوم بالعزف ليس شرقيا...... شكرا مرة اخري وكل التمنيات بالتوفيق والنجاح

I’m actually impressed with your knowledge about the Oud and how much you know about the history of it. Comes from an Arabic guy specially...! And Nassir Shama is a legend.!

Extra knowledge: The names of maqams are from cities or regions in the Middle East. For example, Nahawand is a city in Iran. Hijaz is a province in Arabian Peninsula.

For people who want to know arabic maqams, arabic maqams are eight: 1: ajam مقام العجم 2: nahawand مقام النهاوند 3: kurd مقام الكرد 4: hijaz مقام الحجاز 5: bayati مقام البيات 6: rasset مقام الرست 7: sika مقام السيكا 8: saba مقام الصبا

Great playing man. I LOVE the melody in the last song at 9:21. You inspired me to want to play an Oud. Thank you

My dad plays oud(ud in turkish) and i love your presentation about it youre great elegant even majestic yet delicate

As an Arabian that's a very good introduction to Oud, and your knowledge is impressive. If you want to check famous Oud players check out Saudi singer named Abadi Al-Johar , we call him (The octopus of Oud)

A beautiful instrument presented by an equally beautiful man. Great video

Man, watching your video is wholesome! I really love your innocent reactions, they deliver the exact emotion of interest you are experiencing right now! As an Arab from Algeria, I like our traditional music and very proud that you had a topic about this instrument!

For just taking one lesson, you did such an incredible job capturing the emotions behind arabic music. Another good oud player is Farid El Atrache , he was a Syrian-Egyptian composer, singer, virtuoso oud player, and actor.

To start all you need is the 9 major maqams and after that you’ll develop an ear for any tune you hear. I am an oud player and I tell you that you did a great job. I’ll be using your video to educate my western friends!

he was impressed by the oud imagine now he finds out about the kanoun

As an Arab I am very impressed with the knowledge he has about the Oud and Arab music history KEEP IT UP MASHALLAH

An instrument that speaks emotionally to one’s soul as one listens! What a great post that helps one play the Oud, along with it’s history. Thanks for sharing this informative post on such a beautiful instrument!

I am almost speechless. You are no beginner; you are well on your way to a high level proficiency on the oud, and I listen to a great deal of Middle Eastern music. This video is a superb introduction to this beautiful Middle Eastern instrument, presented in a clear, concise and informative manner.

To make things clear Oud is one of the hardest instuments to learn and play for us Arab people who are already used to such oriental music and the fact the this guy is from a completely different music type that belongs to occidental world and he learned this instrument very quickly really ''Chapeau 🎩 bas '' bravo it shows how much you are into music

Wonderful that you've featured the oud in your "Introducing" series. Thank you Brandon.

An excellent presenting video, your low volume and calm voice with the beautiful sound of music made the video just fantastic. I felt the need for more even though the video had end.

I’m Arab and I didn’t even know this. I’m just looking to buy myself a guitar. And this pop up in my feed. This gives me a great since of pride of my culture. Thank you so much ❤️

1 minute in and I can already tell I'm going to want to watch every episode of this "INTRODUCING" series. Immediate subscribe.

This video is a gem. Amazingly well told facts and music theory for different schools of music, a great instrument being showcased and beautifully played, even some amazing players suggested (now I listen to great oud players on YT instead of some mixes for background). I mean, if YT algorithm works well sometimes, then this is it.

The oud is one of my favorite’s. I’ve heard live concerts in small clubs. Very inspiring. Ever since I find myself attempting similar melody and patterns on my guitar. Thank you for sharing your exploration back into this part of musical history.

As a Turkish person, hearing "Üsküdara Giderken" from you was very very deligtful. Thanks Brandon. I would really like to hear you play bağlama someday. It is also an instrument that is very common in Turkey and has a very unique sound. I think you would like it.

Greetings to all my Arab brothers from Persia. Arabic music has some magic in it which is beautiful

As a student.learning arabic music i am very impressed cos the oud is one of the hardest instrument for a lit of pepole and im happy that you shared your experience with us . Thank you

I love this instrument, and I may use it on my new album. Thank you for this channel; it's learning I need.

Hi Tunisian here, i'm honoured that a very talented guy like you is discovering my musical culture and sharing it to the public, specially mentioning Anouar Brahem (انور براهم), and btw the tone you played at 9:11 is ريتك ما نعرف وين (Ritek ma naarf win) by Lotfi Bouchnak one of the greatest Tunisian musicians ever. you should check him out too :)

Hey, i'm tunisian and a music student. I have to admit you you introuced the Oud perfectly. I loved how you improvised on the makams, specially Hijaz( مقام الحجاز). Btw, the song in end is called ريتك ما نعرف وين which translates to, i cant remember where i saw you, and Halfaouine is a place in Tunisia. The song originally is a poème wrote for a girl, and he just keeps mentioning all the places in Tunisia where the poet met her. Here's the link for the song if anyone wondered: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bxTgRCZy45o.html

Thanks a lot!!! I love the sound of lutes, guitars, bandolins, in western and eastern music, and you are a so great musician and professor, sharing with all us your knowledge and enthusiasm about the oud. Congratulations!

I just love how you explain things man.

the arabic sounding music always makes me picture being on some crazy long journey across the desert on a camel in full garb

Aftet the moorish conquest, Brandon ( being 20 that time ) had the chance to travel to Al-Andalus from his temporary home in Navarre, where he would meet his first Oud teacher, Ibn Saleh al-Maroq. I do hope more vampires teach us about their knowledge from their past.

You're so talented when it comes to mastering tones and delivering emotions in a way that causes goosebumps, it caused my neurons to go into meltdown. The number of emotions you've incorporated into your creative improvisation is extraordinary. For a western person. you're also very talented when it comes to mastering the Maqams.

I only heard this instrument today, but the depth of tone is absolutely beautiful! I am hooked! Thanks for the Intro.

Thank you for your docuseries on the Oud. My cousin was an Oudi, these beautiful instruments are custom made. The day he played Knights in White Satin on his Oud, I was blown away - he was playing western music on a middle-eastern instrument.

Hey guys! The most common comment is about the term "Arabic Oud." To clear up any confusion, I'm not claiming it's originally Arabic, or only played in Arabic countries. The term "Arabic Oud" is used to refer to a specific type of oud, which is distinguishable from the "Turkish" Oud, for example. Checkout this link for a description of the differences in the instruments: www.oudforguitarists.com/types-of-ouds-ultimate-oud-buyers-guide-1/

Brandon! that music from pulp fiction is actually a folk song called Misirlou which translates to "Egyptian Girl" and was probably composed with the Oud in mind!

This is my first time watching any of your videos. Wallahi bravo habeebi you really did your homework about the oud.

As an Arab i love and appreciate this video, thanks for introducing this marvelous instrument for some people who might not know it yet

Music in the Arabic culture is a very vital way to express almost each and every human feeling.. That's why it seems complicated in its basic structure but it gets much easier as you feel it and it surely represents your roots and where you come from. Actually the scales you mentioned are named after the places where they were either invented or mostly played.

This instrument produces such a beautifully resonant sound.

Brilliant, Brandon, wonderful video, great and detailed info so smoothly delivered!! Cheers!

Halfaouine is actually a neighborhood in Tunis in the old part of the city. I'm Tunisian and the interpretation of this piece by Lotfi Bouchnak (Tunisian artist) is very famous. You should come and visit Tunis 😉.

I really appreciate your respectful approach to the instrument and it's history. Your choice of phrases and inclusion of diverse names, as well as your humility in acknowledging how the different modality poses a challenge for you (rather than simply saying it sounds off) was really good.

Wow thank you! I am not a musician or ever knew there was such musical instrument existed, your passion is beautiful, because of it I want to educate myself 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼you’re great! Thank you

You have presented the oud in a clear and correct way to people who do not know anything about the oud. It is clear that you have made a great effort in researching this information about the oud, well done

Thanks for making these fascinating videos, it makes me want to get one of these :) It's also interesting to note the influence this music had on Spanish music. And I love Anouar Brahem's Oud-Jazz fusion!

this OUD can make one crazy i think this is the best Instrument ever

Thank you for this beautiful history and your playing! I love it!

Such a great concept; and so well executed with a combination of narration and music. Bravo!

The way you talk is quite calming, like the painter/teacher Bob Ross but musician version

As I’m in Saudi Arabia, the Oud I hear always plays Arabic sounding music. When you play, I hear English sounding music which is very weird, but unique and nice.👍🏻

Great video Brandon! I had a guitar student of mine years ago who first told me about the Oud and I was mesmerised by it. Such an interesting sound! Well played.

I am loving your series "introducing". Please do Afghan Rubab as well!

Love how peaceful and calming he was throughout the video 😌

The hard work you put into learning hownto play and studying the history of these instruments never ceases to amaze me -- you go above and beyond any other string-player on RU-vidr! ❤

Thank you so much. My father brought me back an Oud from Saudi Arabia pre-internet times, and I knew nothing about it; just that it looked beautiful. This has brought it to life. Maybe I will have a go!

I play classical guitar myself, but those songs scales/patterns produced by that Arabic Oud, played by you and songs by Anouar Braheem as suggested by you, are really take my mind to another world, very different from what i learnt, and yet very beautiful

I love the sound that comes out of the Oud. Arabic music has such a romantic sound to it... I think the Half Fats have such a classic Arabic sound... Now I'm going to run out and buy a bunch of Arabic CD's ;-)

What a humble soul..God bless you my brother on your many journeys in the music/ life scales

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Brandon, I must give you a shoutout to you and thank you generously for opening my ears, heart, and soul to this wonderful instrument! Oh yea, love that one you just ordered too!

Thanks Brandon for your open spirit and your honest curiosity! You bring cultures together. Greetings from Greece.

A terrific overview of the Arabic Oud. The tunes you played sound perfectly authentic and pleasant.

I used to play it back in Egypt for years. Thank you for introducing it. The Spanish people put the frets cause they couldn’t stand the quarter tone of the middle eastern music lol (even though it’s awesome and has been proven it triggers great happiness hormones in the brain similar to weed). I am now evolved to guitar cause I live in Seattle WA :)

The Halfaouine is a place in Tunis the capital of Tunisia , the music Halfaouine is from the movie " Asfour Stah " or " Child of the Terraces" a great movie and a beutiful music of Anouar Brahem ... thank you for remind me of these unforgettable years.