Mike's Oud Forums

Bil Afrah Project

Brian Prunka - 12-9-2018 at 07:46 PM

Helo friends!

Here is a video of a concert I played on tonight with one of my groups. We play Rahbani's Raqset Sous followed by the entire suite from Bil Afrah with Michel Merhej, Fairuz and Ziad's percussionist from many decades (not to mention he played with Farid for years and also Abdel Wahab and Warda!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe6Dh4jkUuA

Jody Stecher - 12-9-2018 at 11:31 PM

Very impressive, and very enjoyable. Thanks for posting this. The music speaks for itself but the instruments provoke questions.
1) friction pegs on a buzuq? Why?
2) what's with the crazy sound holes on Marandi's 5 string fiddle?
3) what is the new looking oud you are playing?

majnuunNavid - 12-10-2018 at 03:37 AM

It looks like it could be a Najib soundboard. Did he do the soundboard Brian?

Brian Prunka - 12-10-2018 at 01:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Jody Stecher  
Very impressive, and very enjoyable. Thanks for posting this. The music speaks for itself but the instruments provoke questions.
1) friction pegs on a buzuq? Why?
2) what's with the crazy sound holes on Marandi's 5 string fiddle?
3) what is the new looking oud you are playing?


Thanks, Jody!

1) I think you'd have to ask Mr. Ghadban why. I agree that it was probably not the best choice, they seem like a lot of trouble.
2) just different, I guess?
3) It's made by Peter Sayegh and I love it

Jody Stecher - 12-10-2018 at 03:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Brian Prunka  
Quote: Originally posted by Jody Stecher  
Very impressive, and very enjoyable. Thanks for posting this. The music speaks for itself but the instruments provoke questions.
1) friction pegs on a buzuq? Why?
2) what's with the crazy sound holes on Marandi's 5 string fiddle?
3) what is the new looking oud you are playing?


Thanks, Jody!

1) I think you'd have to ask Mr. Ghadban why. I agree that it was probably not the best choice, they seem like a lot of trouble.
2) just different, I guess?
3) It's made by Peter Sayegh and I love it


This morning I got an email about the concert video from Marandi's dad. I asked him the same questions. The fiddle is Chinese and based on an old Italian model. He reckons the buzuq pegs are Pegheds--4:1 mechanical pegs that look just like regular violin pegs. He didn't know about the oud. But you have provided that answer now, thanks. Tell us more! I also love it.

al-Halabi - 12-10-2018 at 06:00 PM

Jody, the traditional buzuq had friction pegs and a pegbox similar to that of the bağlama. I have one such buzuq and happen to like the appearance of the instrument with a traditional pegbox. Tuning with friction pegs is not any more trouble on the buzuq than on the oud, and in fact is generally easier as the metal strings tend to hold their tune better.

SamirCanada - 12-10-2018 at 06:08 PM

I love that oud too. Sweet sound and excellent workmanship. Brian, could you please send me a high quality picture of the rosette?

majnuunNavid - 12-11-2018 at 05:33 AM

mmm a Peter Sayegh Oud... I would love to get my hands on one of those...

Brian, did you purchase directly from Peter? How was the purchasing experience? Was it relatively straightforward?

Brian Prunka - 12-11-2018 at 02:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Jody Stecher  

This morning I got an email about the concert video from Marandi's dad. I asked him the same questions. The fiddle is Chinese and based on an old Italian model. He reckons the buzuq pegs are Pegheds--4:1 mechanical pegs that look just like regular violin pegs. He didn't know about the oud. But you have provided that answer now, thanks. Tell us more! I also love it.


Ha, of course you know Marandi's dad! I know Josh talked about getting the pegheds type at one point but I'm not sure if he did or not.
I really like the oud, it's very balanced and quite loud but still has a sweet sound. The action has raised a bit since I got it (not quite a year ago), but seems to have stabilized. Peter built it 60cm at my request and he let me pick the soundboard from several photos he sent. He chose the ornamentation (though I sent him some pictures of other ouds he had done that I liked).

Brian Prunka - 12-11-2018 at 02:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by majnuunNavid  
mmm a Peter Sayegh Oud... I would love to get my hands on one of those...

Brian, did you purchase directly from Peter? How was the purchasing experience? Was it relatively straightforward?


Yes, I purchased directly from him. We mainly communicated via Facebook messages. He was very straightforward and easy to deal with, his English is good, no communication problems. He doesn't take credit cards and has a waiting list of about 6 months or so I think.

MattOud - 12-12-2018 at 05:24 AM

Really nice Brian!
I really like your OUD as well. Sounds really nice!
This must have been so fun to play in a group like that.
As you know i am new to the OUD and nobody here has heard of it at all.
I seem like the only one in the area who plays or has one....
I hope one day to be able to learn and play in a group like this.
Cheers,
Matt

Doc139 - 12-14-2018 at 01:13 PM

Thanks for posting this video, Brian!
Very beautiful concert, nice performance of all musicians and the ensemble as a whole, and last but not least: what a beauty of an oud! Good looking and sweet sound. Peter Sayegh's name was new to me but will be remembered...
Greetings,
Alexander