Oud

It is a stringed musical instrument played with mizrab and wide-spread in particular in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, and among the peoples of the East. Oud is the Arabian word  and means “tree. Information about the oud is given first in works of Ishaq Ibn Ibraham from Mosul (767-849), and later by Abu Nasr Farabi (870-950).

Oud has great historical significance in the development of a culture of Middle East in the Middle Ages. In many ancient musical magazines it is informed that oud had an ancient history and legends are told about its creation. Abdulqadir Maraghi that comments  work of Safiaddin Abdulmomin Urmavi Kitab al-advar (A book about periods of music, 1252) says that oud musical instrument was invented by one of the Prophet’s grandsons.

In written records invention of oud is linked with the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. In improvement of oud, in the creation of its new sound structure Safiaddin Urmavi has a great service. He also skillfully played on oud.

In miniature works of art one can find a description of oud. Four strings of ancient oud were compared with fire, water, soil and air. The first string named as zir, the second masna, third mislas, the fourth bam and later added the fifth string as had.

The ancient oud has been corrected in structure and form for centuries, and reached our time as the perfect instrument. Oud, which was brought to Spain by the Arabs, later widespread in Western countries with the name of “lutnya”.  

Modern oud has five double and one single (a total of eleven) strings. Body of oud is put on right knee and played. Strings made of silk thread, gut, and special kapron are adjusted in respect to one another in fourth.

Oud consists of pear shaped body, head of arms and ashigs. Body of instrument is made of few parts, mainly from sandalwood, walnut and pear trees. 5 mm thick wooden parts (ribs) is bent in required size under the heat in special moulds, and assembled by parts. The surface of body is covered with wooden cover of 5 mm thick. The oud with the total length of 350 mm has a wide of 850 mm of body, length 480 mm, and height 200 mm.

Diapason of oud is from big octave’s mi  to the second octave’s fa sound. As a solo and accompaniment instrument its was included in orchestra and ensembles.