japan - 6-13-2005 at 03:52 PM
For arabic Ouds, what is the best Tuning for 12 String Oud?
It seems like everyone has a different say about that, in addition, some of the resources said that I will have to change the tune depending on the
maqam I want to play. That is confusing for me.
The Tuning I found "so far" excluding Bashir's style, were as follow, note that each one of them was reffered to as the standard arabic tuning!!!!!
Starting at string number 1 from the bottom (or highst pitch)" here they are:
C4,G3,D3,A2,(E2 or F2),C2
C4,G3,D3,A2,G2,D2
(F4 or E4),B3,E3,A2,D2,G2
F4,C4,G3,D3,Bb2,F2
F4,C4,G3,D3,A2,F2
The bottom one was reffered to as one of the most common one for 12 string ouds. Is that true?
The other resources are reffering to the other tuning methods mentioned above a the standard one too!
Which one is the standard for the arabic Oud.
which one do you recommend? and would you please explaine to me why? and how true is that I might have to change the tuning depending on the maqam I
want to play?
Thank you very much.
japan - 6-14-2005 at 05:26 AM
No comments or suggestions?! 
paulO - 6-14-2005 at 11:44 AM
Hi Japan,
Just a few quick suggestions:
1. Once you're oud is tuned the way you like -- you should not have to change it to switch makams. You could tune your 6th to C, and this is kind of
cool when playing Rast from C. But this is just for effect, and isn't required when playing in a different makam.
2. One of the Arabic tunings I have seen used is: C1, G2, D3, A4, G5, D6 where 1 is the highest string and 6 is the lowest. Also you could go with the
"all 4ths" tuning. C1,G2,D3,A4,E5,B6. This gives you lots of flexibility, a cool lower range. You could start with either one of these, and then go
from there. Good luck.
Cheers...PaulO
japan - 6-15-2005 at 03:02 PM
Thanks PaulO,
I almost gave up on somebody answering this! I really needed to know that.
I really appreciated your help a lot.
Again, thank you very much.
LudwigVan - 6-19-2005 at 01:34 AM
I noticed you said "12 string oud". I have a beginner-level instrument that can fit twelve strings, but of course ouds are normally strung with eleven
(the lowest string being a single).
I use c'-g-d-A-G-D about 90% of the time, but occasionally tune the bottom two courses to F-C or E-B (the latter because I play six-string bass
guitar). I dislike retuning too much because it wears out the pegs.
Now I'm wondering about that extra string space. I'm thinking that a single string for the lowest course exists to make the sound more balanced, since
heavier strings are louder. To double the low D (or C or B) might make it to heavy, so I was thinking adding a string an octave higher to complete the
double course, as they do on the lower two courses of bouzoukis. Maybe the fifth course could be in octaves as well. Not exactly traditional, but I
like to experiment. Main issue I have is intonation between the octave strings.
I'd also like to get my hands on a 13-string oud. Those add an additional high course of F (or a fourth higher than the high course of an 11-string),
right?
japan - 6-19-2005 at 03:56 AM
Hi Ludwigvan,
That'd be interesting! Please keep us updated on the 13 string-oud. Unless somebody else has already tried that!?
LudwigVan - 6-20-2005 at 01:36 AM
Japan,
I was able to find just one picture of a seven-course oud so far, made my someone named Andy from Armenia:
http://www.geocities.com/antronig/oud.html