Basics of Oud (Me; Bay)

This book and DVD which is great value for the price, is more than one would expect from a 'Basics book' . It is very clearly presented logical, easy to follow, and an essential starting point for any beginner. Every sequence is clear and there are no ambiguities. The DVD gives us a taste of some traditional music too. I really recommend it to anyone.

Well done, clear, helpful book. The (downloadable) video (can also be viewed on YouTube) is also helpful, by "filling in" parts of the tutorial lessons, showing how to physically hold and manipulate the oud, and what the lessons should sound like. Also covers a few areas (such as, which pegs tune which strings) not included in the printed guide.

There is evidently a new wave of oud playing brewing in the West. If you have an oud and need to start somewhere, this book is invaluable. The videos on the DVD are excellent. Together they will take you to the point where you are making proper noises on your instrument, and might want to start learning some Middle Eastern music, and this is where things get tricky. There are many issues she sidesteps, like the fact that no two oud players can seem to agree on the best tuning, and that may be for the better. The diagrams do have some problems, not that the convention is to put the bass note at the top (which is what she does), but the opposite, that a note position diagram, placed on the neck, with the nut to the left and the body to the right, should "work", and for that it must be oriented the way the instrument is laid out, the way the player looks at the neck, with the treble strings "away from the reader", in other words at the top of the diagram, otherwise it demands a lot of imagination. Detail, indeed, but it makes an important diagram, that might help with the included scores, hard to use. I ended up making my own. Then to take the leap from plucking a few notes, albeit correctly, let's call that step 1, to doing what all beginning oud players do, namely to start learning some famous pieces in the repertoire, and familiarization with the "modes" of Arabic music, called Maqam, meets a bit of a wall. There's a video clip that shows a few, but the 2 pages that list a dozen Maqams is cursory to say the least, especially in light of the fact there are (at least) over 100. Other reviewers have pinpointed the most important issues, like the dearth of audible examples, and the reliance on standard notation as a way to (in theory) convey some necessary "songs". Many people coming to the oud will have played the guitar, but indeed without significant sight-reading skills. The few pages on notation and (Western) music theory, although well done, are not going to remedy that. It's debatable if a whole page to present the Italian names of tempos (Allegro, etc) is anything but filler. Over half the book, then, is for many readers largely useless, a mute collection of pieces that sits there with nothing that would make you want to explore them. Even for sight readers, motivation is essential, and enthusiasm builds as you learn step 1; the videos and the "getting started" material are excellent and generate interest. And then she leaves us .... holding a terse song book that includes Amazing Grace and Greensleeves. If you can work through them, they are good to have. There are some odd things going on with little numbers that sometimes refer to strings, or fingers? but then what is that zero, so they must be "fret positions"? Tablature, adapted to the 1/4 tone system, might help QUITE a bit, but the IDEAL vehicle is video, and it's too bad there aren't two DVDs with the book. I understand there are prohibitive costs involved, but I think a lot of people will go through the first chapters, step 1, and then have to find other resources. That may be in the nature of things. The oud is not exactly equipped with a large body of scholarly or instructional literature, as it was a part of an esoteric oral master-student tradition that was closed to outsiders. Try "oud" in Amazon's "books" -- see? In many ways, then, this book is a first. Considering that the book with the invaluable DVD costs less than one typical private lesson, there's truly nothing here to complain about, and it leaves the package an enjoyable and essential must-have for any beginner, so get it, pick up your oud, and get started already! You can find a lot of supplementary materials on youtube and other 'net resources.

This lesson book is very helpful for a beginner Oud student. I will be using it when I teach beginner students. Easy to follow. Thank You Marina.

This book is detailed and covers all the important information. It's a great book for beginners. I highly recommend it.

Good explanation on maqams with notations, TABs, and accompanying Youtube videos.

This book is designed for Arab style oud, CFAdgc tuning. D'addario J95 strings work for this tuning and are readily available. The song selection is vast and seemingly authentic. The DVD is helpful for getting started, but seems to focus a little too much on the rudiments of music. If this is your first instrument, it's very useful. If you're an experienced musician, it's a bit tedious. The book could be improved with more extensive fingering for the left hand, especially for the quarter tones. Each selection defines a position, however there seems to be some ambiguity and contradiction at times. Or, at least, room for clarification. Also, I would have preferred a cd with a recording of all the songs versus the DVD. Still, overall this is a good book. And, with limited selection for oud methodology written in English, a worth while purchase.

The book is concise and as described. I can recommend this book to any oud player. It has plenty music peaces and instructions on how to play the basics.

He devuelto este pedido y no pasan a recogerlo

Excelente. Fácil de entender e bem objetivo. Cumpre o que divulga. Agora vou poder progredir nos estudos mesmo sem professor.

Excellent bouquin avec un dvd très instructif - plus adapté à des ouds (turc) avec un accordage différent des ouds du proche orient. Mais ça reste un excellent outil d'aide pour apprendre à jouer avec cet excellent instrument

It really helps me learn properly. It has theroy and risha tips. Just an all round good learning tool

I am a musician, instrument builder and author on oriental instruments and music in German. Chapeau to my colleague oversees Marina Toshich. She has done a fine work there. Not only the clear images and instruction but the simplicity in explaining the whole subject. Just great work!