kathyviola
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advice for a classical violist, please
Hello Oud folks,
I'm Lebanese American, and grew up listening to the oud. I ended up with the viola, though, and became a professional classical and baroque musician
of the Western persuasion. Learning the oud and playing Arabic music is what I want to do now. But what path to take?
Is it best to learn the music on my viola-with scales and theory and such-or just go ahead and pick up an oud?
The answer is subjective, but I wonder if someone here may have some sound advice on the matter.
Thank you so much and warmly,
Kathy
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Brian Prunka
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You can do both!
Many musicians play both violin and oud. You'll want to play it on the viola as well anyway, so might as well start.
Viola players I have known use either the tuning CGDG, or CGCG (I think).
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kathyviola
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Thank you, Brian. Excellent reply. I noticed some violinists talking about changing their tuning online yesterday. I'm guessing this is to adapt the
instrument to be capable of playing with Arabic instruments and on more scales?
There are books available, too, right?
I found scale and music books here: http://www.maqam.com/lebanese_mix_2010.html.
It seems reputable, but if there is more advice on those I welcome it.
Thanks again,
Kathy
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Brian Prunka
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The violin is more of a problem than the viola, since the E string itself is out of tune with a typical E in Arabic music.
You could actually play Arabic music without retuning the viola, but since the central reference pitch in Arabic music is G, it works out much easier
to have an open G on one of the high melody strings.
It's hard to understand until you start playing the music and see how it lies on the instrument.
Maqam.com is a good resource. There is plenty of music and resources available online for free, though.
Issa Boulous has a nice sheet music archive. There is also a nice archive at the college of William and Mary.
http://www.issaboulos.com/archive/
https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/handle/10288/13782
http://www.zeryab.com/E/Arabic_Sheets.htm
If you read Arabic or use google translate, Zeryab.com forums or Sama3y forum
For scales and theory, the best resources are:
http://www.maqamworld.com/
http://www.maqamlessons.com/
Sami Shumays (maqamlessons.com) has a bunch of great podcasts available on itunes as well, with lessons on maqam and taqsim and interviews and
performances with various musicians.
Where do you live? Maybe someone can recommend a teacher.
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kathyviola
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Thanks again, Brian. These resources look great. I currently live in Madison, WI. I have heard rumor of an oud teacher at the UW, but have yet to
investigate it due to time constraints. Perhaps others have ideas as well.
Looking at some of the music, I could see how it would be valuable to tune the A down to G. But it is also simply a matter of using even numbered
positions. It's so different than my own training. I feel that learning all the scales and intricacies will take some serious time, though the early
music training should help a bit.
I noticed you began in jazz down in New Orleans. That is exciting. An old friend from Louisville played percussion in New Orleans for a while. His
name is Jessie Hall. Perhaps you guys crossed paths.
Thanks again. I'm excited to begin this as a regular practice.
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DoggerelPundit
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Hi Kathyviola,
Welcome to the forum!
You might also enjoy hearing and seeing Ahmad al Jawadi. He makes it easy to see his left-hand technique for grace notes--technique which can transfer
to the oud. Somewhere in the comments he mentions the tuning he used for this piece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gGlBPgE6XM
-Stephen
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kathyviola
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Thank you, Stephen. I'll check that out.
Ornamentation technique is tough to follow in some of these recordings. In early music there are Treaties written with examples for ornamentation,
but I don't speak or read Arabic, making the learning all ear and note written. It feels daunting.
Best to you,
Kathy
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