Difference Between Syrian Oud and The Others
We can say that the origin of the oud dates back to ancient times, that it has been passed down from generation to generation and continues to exist. There are oud types that are widely used today. The most common type of oud is the Arabic oud. When the Arabian oud is mentioned, North Africa, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Arabian Peninsula, and Iran come to mind. The type of oud we will consider is the Syrian oud. Syrian oud has the feature of producing a lot of tones. We can say that this is the main feature that makes it different from the others.
Before buying an oud, you need to research all its features and buy the ideal oud for you. Every oud is different from each other. The criteria that make oud types different from each other are as follows:
- Shape
- Measure
- Workmanship
- Material
- Weight
- Durability
- Audio
- Keyboard
- Wire balance
About Oud
The roots of the oud date back to 3500 years ago. The oud used in Turkey is not structurally different from the ouds in other countries, but the bodies of Arabic ouds are generally larger and have one large hole instead of two small and one large hole. The oud has preserved its structure for about a thousand years, except for a few changes.
Oud, a fretless instrument; is in the section of string instruments, so the sound range of this musical instrument is 3 octaves. The beautiful sound of the oud is provided by its hollow body, which vibrates as it strums the strings. A plectrum is used to play the oud. Both strong and more durable kinds of wood as mahogany and hornbeam are preferred in making oud. In the past, knitted wires were used, while today nylon wires are used.
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What Is the Syrian Oud?
When the oud is mentioned, its immediate origin comes to mind. Syrian oud is considered in the Arabic oud category and is one of the most significant types. The Syrian oud is considered an average instrument. It is a pretty great choice to buy. The biggest oud maker in the Syrian world and the Arab world, in general, is 'That's.
What Are The Other Types Of Oud?
There are two types of oud in the norm. The first is Arabic, and the second one is the Turkish oud. The Arabic oud is divided into branches within itself. Arabic and Turkish ouds have specific characteristics. The most well-known types of oud are:
Turkish OudThe sound of Turkish oud is gentle. The Turkish oud is designed with a strong movement of two or three millimeters. In this design, it offers a distinct playing comfort to the person.
Arabic Oud
The soundboard of Arabic ouds, which are generally 11 strung, is thicker than Turkish Ouds.
Syrian Oud
The Syrian oud combines Turkish and Arabic sounds. The sound of the Syrian oud has a rather harsh and dry tone. It is medium in size.
Egyptian Oud
The sound of the Egyptian oud is heavy and thick. The Egyptian oud is the largest among the other species. Egyptian oud is made from spruce.
Moroccan Oud
It is a rare type of oud.
Persian Oud
Arabic Ouds are large, Turkish Ouds are small, and Persian Ouds are medium-sized. It has a warm and flowing voice.
Electric Oud
Electric Ouds designed in multiple forms have a solid body.
What Is The Difference Between The Syrian Oud And The Others?
Considering that there are criteria that distinguish ouds from each other, we can easily see that the Syrian oud is taller than other ouds. Also, the pitch of the Syrian oud is lower. When we examine it as a body, it looks more pear than oud types. Egyptian ouds are highly ornamental of other species. When we consider it as a sound, it is more expensive than other ouds. It is possible to hear different sounds from Syrian ouds.
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Good Afternoon Mr. Moran,
Thank you for reaching out with your inquiry about finding the perfect oud. It’s great to hear about your interest in exploring different styles beyond your Turkish oud.
Regarding the choice between Syrian, Iraqi, and Persian ouds, each has its unique qualities in terms of tone, timbre, and resonance. Typically, Syrian ouds are known for their warm, rich sound with excellent volume, making them very resonant. Persian ouds often exhibit a bright and clear tone, suitable for intricate melodic lines. Iraqi ouds, distinct for their floating bridges, offer a dynamic range of sound and allow for subtle tonal adjustments, which can enhance the instrument’s expressiveness. The floating bridge, indeed, adds a unique character by providing more vibration freedom, thus enriching the sustain and clarity of each note.
With a budget of £800, you are indeed in a good position to acquire a high-quality, professionally set up oud. The instrument I recommend, the Premium Arabic Oud Sala A9, falls within your budget and meets the criteria you described. It is hand-assembled and carefully checked to ensure a beautiful setup and sound. You can view and consider this model here: Premium Arabic Oud Sala A9.
https://salamuzik.com/products/premium-arabic-oud-sala-a9
As for the wood choices, each type offers different attributes:
Walnut: Known for its balanced tone, provides a warm yet bright sound.
Apricot: Rarely used but offers a lighter, very resonant tone.
Pamela: This wood is not commonly used in oud construction; perhaps you meant Padauk, which offers a rich and warm sound.
Cocobolo: Delivers deep and powerful tones with excellent sustain.
Purpleheart: Known for its density and stiffness, provides a vibrant and resonant sound.
For the soundboard, AAA cedar is an excellent choice known for its warm and clear sound, enhancing the oud’s overall tonality. An ebony fretboard and pegs not only add aesthetic value but also contribute to the clarity of the sound, thanks to ebony’s dense nature.
Please let me know if you need any more details or if there’s anything else I can assist you with. I’m here to help ensure you find an instrument that meets your artistic needs and inspires your music.
Kind regards
info@salamuzik.com
Good Afternoon, I wonder if you are able to help?
I am looking to buy an Arabic oud, and am thinking of getting either a Syrian, an Iraqi, or a Persian oud. Which would you say has the better range in tone, timbre, and sounds, and which has the most resonance and volume? (I already have a Turkish oud).
Also, does the Persian oud always have a floating bridge, and if so, is this a good thing improving the instrument? How does this affect the sound in contrast to a fixed bridge?
I am looking for a powerful Arabic sounding instrument, with lovely clear tonal ranges with sustain.
My budget is £800 UK sterling (US$950). Will I find a high quality hand assembled, beautifully set up and checked, professional instrument for this price? What are my options?
Lastly, I have also been looking at woods. Ideally I would like an ebony fretboard and pegs. For the sound board I am considering AAA cedar.
For the body I am unsure. What are your opinions of, and how would you describe the character of the following possibilities: Walnut; Apricot; Pamela; Cocobolo; Purpleheart woods?
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
David Moran (UK)
The Strings are Nylon like a Classical Guitar so the tension will be fairly low. I find that Machine Head tuners are more practical than friction pegs cause w/ that many strings to keep in tune, Machine heads make a big difference. A built in tuner on an Oud also rocks because Nylon strings take a while to stretch, so it helps w/ tuning it to pitch.
I would like to add that the Moroccan ouds, besides the fact of being rare, are the direct descendant of the Andalusian oud developed by Ziryab starting from Oud Ramal, which could only be found in Andalusia (Spain) and northern Morocco.
The development of the modern Moroccan Oud through the centuries borrowed innovative wood working techniques from Italy, Greece, Germany and, of course, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and most of the middle-east. And in return new Oud architectures were exported to serve as a basis for other modern incarnations in the Oud playing countries.
The main characteristics of modern Moroccan Ouds can be summarized as follows:
- Tone versatility. The Moroccan Oud makers mastered the equalization techniques using innovative approaches to the structure.
- High power. The typical Moroccan Oud is a few decibels louder than its oroental counterparts.
- Higher basses without being “muddy”
- Excellent playability
- Wide choice of woods that the makers know how to handle
- Easy access to the best of the best of Moroccan walnut for the bowl, which is by far the most sought after material by professional recording artists.
- Tested and adopted by a wide range of famous artists, such as Said Chraibi, Farid Al Artrash, Mohamad Abd El Wahab, Tantawi, and many other professional artists and collectors.
I would like to see more Ouds from Morocco at Sala Muzik so our brothers and cousins around the world can enjoy this unique 10 centuries craftsmanship.
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