A while back I recorded a bunch of backing tracks with real musicians - these for playing along with common Arabic rhythms, with qanun and bass accompaniment in the most common keys and tempos. While there are a bunch of…

Here's a little video I made to demonstrate the backing tracks I will be sharing - just playing a little taqsim in maqam Nawa Athar. This track is over the iqa (rhythm) known as Bambi or Bamb Masri.  

These tracks…

In this video I demonstrate how to apply a common oud technique, where notes are played using the same finger with a slight slide between them.  In ‘classical’ terminology this may be called portamento or glissando, but the way that…

Perhaps he second most common ornament on the oud! The turn is a crucial skill to learn in order to authentically play Arabic music, especially in maqams like Sikah and Rast.  I show a few different variations on the turn…