Mike's Oud Forums

strange shape ouds

manuel - 5-18-2012 at 05:22 AM

hallo to you all.
please look at this guy's ouds

http://www.mofidnehme.com/

don't know what to think....

M

dss - 5-18-2012 at 05:44 AM

Interesting....copied out part of the description below....will be interesting to see what people think of the resulting sound (see videos page).
Quote:

from http://www.mofidnehme.com/oud-quartet/....

For the first time in the history of the oud (oriental lute) family, an instrument quartet was fabricated, where each octave has its own strings, playing technique and musical key.The included 22 strings are divided between First oud Alto Tenor Bass

Therefore, this project (the oud family) is in continuity with the works of Zeryab and an honour to his history. This quartet opens the door for the oud to enter the world of harmony. The new possible octave allows for the oriental compositors to write new musical sentences using the additional octave necessary for horizontal and vertical compositions (harmony): Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. Consequently, abstract oriental music beyond singing becomes possible.

dss - 5-18-2012 at 06:07 AM

Better video with full description (English)....http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HSmGn0Nbzvc

(sorry for the double post)

fernandraynaud - 5-18-2012 at 09:19 AM

Well, why not? Of course some instruments do better than others in the multi-size paradigm. For instance viola da gamba lost out to the violin family in the 18th century largely because the soprano viola da gamba is weak compared to the violin, and this has caused the whole viola da gamba family to suffer, including the exceptional bass VDG which is superior to the cello in many ways. The oud is very good at what it does. Not sure about the tiny and huge versions he proposes. It's strange we don't get to hear any of them in that video. As to the idea that things must develop along the same pattern in all matters, and that this "invention" must be adopted, that's a little bonkers. But it's probably best not to discourage or contradict him (4 minute abbs, anyone?).