Cooper - 5-18-2008 at 07:51 PM
Hello,
I am interested in knowing more theory behind the Greek oud. As far as I understand it, the Greeks tune their oud pretty much like the Turks. To me,
that works out because I own a Turkish oud and tune it to (low to high) D-G-B-E-A-d.
One thing I am most curious about is if the Greeks start off any of their scales in particular spots on the oud like the Arabs and Turks or do they
play their scales in any position that works for the song and singer?
Any advice or direction to other web sites that cover this stuff would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! 
spyros mesogeia - 5-19-2008 at 11:27 AM
Hello Cooper.The Tunings are various....Personally I use much more than one.....depends if I play alone,or with another oud player,or with the type of
the ensemble....so
All the possible Tunnings are usefull...
Best wishes and Regards
Spyros
Greek Oud Book
spyrosc - 5-19-2008 at 05:40 PM
I have a brand new spare copy of the Greek Oud Method by the famous Kyriakos Kalaitzidis (volume A). Volume B has not been published yet to my
knowledge.
It includes complete set of exercises, and classical "folk" songs, both in Western musical notation AND in Byzantine notation.
It is in Greek. If you are interested, please e-mail me or U2U.
Spyros C.
Cooper - 5-20-2008 at 06:22 AM
Thank you two!
I recently sold my Greek bouzouki because of wrist problems (those things are freak'n tough) and decided that I might rather play Greek music (and
other folk music) on my Turkish oud. I love the bouzouki, but I have noticed it is not only easier to play this music on the oud, but it sounds better
most of the time (I am sure I am going to get hell for that statement). Maybe because I sucked at the bouzouki )
I figured the major difference between the Arabic oud and the Turkish oud was that the Greeks play "dromos" (sp?) and the Arabs (and Turks) play
maqams (and the turning). I was mainly wanting to confirm that the technique of playing the instrument was the same.
Masel - 5-23-2008 at 12:01 PM
Last winter I was travelling in crete and I was playing almost daily with some guys who were really into rebetika and smyrnyka. One of them played
bouzouki, oud and baglama, all really well. I also saw some other oud players and the technique was the same as the turkish style of playing, maybe a
little less embellished at times.I think the tuning was similar to what you posted.
It was interesting to learn about their dromoi. They are mostly an equal tempered version of turkish maklamar, which obviously doesn't sound the
same. But sometimes (especially the old generation players) you can hear the oud or violin or vocals bending the notes a little to those that can't be
played on the bouzouki.