FilipHolm
Oud Maniac
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Registered: 6-21-2013
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
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"Clicking" sound
I just recieved my new Shehata oud and it is a beautiful instrument.
I was wondering however, since I've only played for over a year, (and I've had this problem with my previous oud as well) why when I pluck the strings
they sometimes give a very loud "clicking" noise, it helps when I play very soft but then I barely get a sound out of the instrument.
Is it the way I hold the Risha? The way I "play" or the strings?
It's not a major issue really, I'm just wondering.
Thanks,
Filip
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majnuunNavid
Oud Junkie
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Mood: Dude, where's my Oud?
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Is it your risha hitting the pick guard beneath the strings? If it is, then it's up to you. I think some Oud players prefer that sound, but others
don't, and I've heard others play with a mix of both. I personally like a clean sound, but the occasional click adds some sharpness which is nice. But
I've also heard some Oud players click and click and click until I can't hear the notes they are actually playing.
It is probably caused by the angle of your risha wrist. Try playing more parallel to the strings, instead of too much of an angle when your risha hits
the string. This might help if it is your risha. Some rishas create more sound depending on the material, so try a different one too.
Upload a sound file, that would help us determine what it is. Good luck!
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Jody Stecher
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Sometimes on a new oud there is clicking on the wound strings that goes away after several weeks or months. Because there will be changes in the wood
over time, some luthiers will build the oud with very low action. The thicker wound strings will bounce against the fingerboard and make a noise.
After a while the action comes up (the strings are further from the fingerboard) and now the action is ordinary low, not high, because the builder
prepared for this, and now the noise stops. The sound I'm talking about sounds like slapping and is surprisingly loud. Perhaps this is happening with
your new oud. You can verify this by locating where the slapping, clicking noise is happening. If it is near where your risha touches the string then
you are causing the sound. If it over the neck somewhere, it may be the problem of "string slap" which will soon self-correct.
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SamirCanada
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As Jody said it could be from the low action. I have had a shehata like his which had some slapping on the extended fingerboard part. Try to tie your
loops at the bridge as high as possible and it will alleviate this problem. Also beter quality strings like Aquila or pyramid lute strings don't do it
as much..
@samiroud Instagram
samiroudmaker@gmail.com
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FilipHolm
Oud Maniac
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Here's something I recorded today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFaHjXpi5ZQ
Please forgive my playing, I have only played the oud for about a year.
(and also for changing Maqam midway through :p)
As you can tell, the clicking is very loud and sometimes over-voices the actuall notes.
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Jody Stecher
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To my ears that is not very bad clicking. Some of it may simply be New String Noise. Try tuning each member of each double course more perfectly in
tune with each other. That might help. For one year only the playing is pretty durn good!
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FilipHolm
Oud Maniac
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Thank you!
I will try all of your suggestions 
Btw, do any of you know some good arabic/middle-eastern songs or pieces to practice and play?
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SamirCanada
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Yes,
Try to learn samaii, bashrafs, longas etc... It's the classics.
Simon Shaheen's turath album is great for that
@samiroud Instagram
samiroudmaker@gmail.com
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FilipHolm
Oud Maniac
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Thanks man
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Mehran
Oud Junkie
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Hi Filip,
In addition to what others have said I find that Risha technique forms a large factor in additional unintended sounds produced. Have you tried
plucking in a different position?
The position where you pluck greatly changes the sound. This can be useful depending on what sounds you want to achieve, although, I find plucking
over the pickguard rather than soundhole produces a nicer sound on most fixed bridge ouds.
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Doc139
Oud Junkie
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| Quote: | | Try to learn samaii, bashrafs, longas etc... It's the classics. |
To Samir:
can you explain what are "samaii, bashrafs, longas etc"?
Thanks!
Alexander
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Alfaraby
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First, mabrouk ! Good luck, play it with good health.
Second, new ouds and strings take some time to settle down. You can't judge an oud when it's still a baby. Wait till it walks &
talks.
Third, Maurice strings his ouds with Labella Arabic set. This set is supposed to function properly after some time. I think at least
a month is needed for them to let the oud resonate as ouds do. Be patient and play as much as you mayת but be tolerant and suffer the buzz or
the clicking till it vanishes.
Forth, extended fingerboards with low action, as Jody & Samir stated, can cause clicking sound, especially when
the FB is not leveled properly. Level here means slope. Check the FB & if it's not sloping towards the soundhole, it should be
mended by skilled hands to ensure it does not touch the strings in the direction of its bottom.
Could we see some close-ups of your new toy ? Excuse me, but how much did this beauty cost ? It has been at least 5 years since I last contacted
Maurice.
Please specify what woods were used for both the bowl an SB & maybe some measurements, if you don't mind.
Thank you for sharing
Yours indeed
Alfaraby
alfarabymusic@gmail.com
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Alfaraby
Oud Junkie
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Dear Doc. , please look here: http://maqamworld.com/forms.html
Yours indeed
Alfaraby
alfarabymusic@gmail.com
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Doc139
Oud Junkie
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Thanks, lawyer... !
(I was just too lazy to search on my own this morning - sorry) 
Alexander
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FilipHolm
Oud Maniac
Posts: 85
Registered: 6-21-2013
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
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Quote: Originally posted by Alfaraby  | First, mabrouk ! Good luck, play it with good health.
Second, new ouds and strings take some time to settle down. You can't judge an oud when it's still a baby. Wait till it walks &
talks.
Third, Maurice strings his ouds with Labella Arabic set. This set is supposed to function properly after some time. I think at least
a month is needed for them to let the oud resonate as ouds do. Be patient and play as much as you mayת but be tolerant and suffer the buzz or
the clicking till it vanishes.
Forth, extended fingerboards with low action, as Jody & Samir stated, can cause clicking sound, especially when
the FB is not leveled properly. Level here means slope. Check the FB & if it's not sloping towards the soundhole, it should be
mended by skilled hands to ensure it does not touch the strings in the direction of its bottom.
Could we see some close-ups of your new toy ? Excuse me, but how much did this beauty cost ? It has been at least 5 years since I last contacted
Maurice.
Please specify what woods were used for both the bowl an SB & maybe some measurements, if you don't mind.
Thank you for sharing
Yours indeed
Alfaraby |
With shipping and hard case it cost 950 dollars. Unfortunately due to a misunderstanding between me and Maurice/his workers. But I am very very happy
with the instrument non the less.
The body is of Walnut and the soundboard is "Swedish Spruce", the bridge is fixed and I know the neck is 19,5 cm in length.
I can probably upload some pictures soon, I just have to find my camera.
Regards,
Fiilip
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Alfaraby
Oud Junkie
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???
alfarabymusic@gmail.com
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FilipHolm
Oud Maniac
Posts: 85
Registered: 6-21-2013
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
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Here's me playing the oud now, over a week later:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4mi1J173XE
I personally think it sounds alot better, don't know if it's because the strings have settled, the instrument has "opened itself" a bit, or just that
me and the oud have gotten to know each other better.
(Again, there are a number of mistakes, forgive my imperfection)
Just a little misunderstanding about what Soundboard I wanted. No big deal really, I'm totally in love with this instrument.
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