The Oud: From the Middle East to Europe
Shaped like a pear and believed to be the forerunner of the western lute, the oud, has a long history. It is distinguished from other stringed instruments because it fretless. It is still widely played in Israel, Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Greece, and Armenia.
The words oud and lute might have come from the Arabic al-d or a thin piece of wood shaped like a straw. Or it could be a reference to the wood plectrum used to play the lute traditionally, or to the narrow wooden strips used to make the instruments back part. Or it could simply mean that the top is made of wood.
Research has suggested that d is the Arabized form of the Persian rud; string, stringed instrument, or lute. In Azerbaijan, where it is called an ud, the instrument is very popular. It has been in use in Azerbaijan since the 7th century.
It is highly probable that is was the Arabs who took with them the instrument to Western Europe in 711 AD, when they erected the Umayyad Caliphate of Al-Andalus on the Iberian Peninsula. Or the instrument could have wound its way to the Iberian Peninsula much earlier in the form of the ancient Roman pandura and Greek pandoura. Although, it is established that the royal houses of Al-Andalus cultivated the environment that increased the popularity of the instrument.
Zyriab was the most renowned player of the instrument in Al-Andalus. He put up Spains very first music conservatory. He also added the instruments fifth course and developed playing technique.
This European version of this instruments became to be known as the lute -- luit in Dutch, luth in French, laute in German, liuto in Italian, and alaud in Spanish. Also of French origin is the word luthier or a stringed instrument maker. The use of frets distinguishes the European lute from the Middle Eastern version.
Legend has it that Lamech, Adams sixth grandson, created the instrument. Grieving over his sons death, Lamech suspended the body of his son from a tree. The shape of his sons bleached skeleton put the idea into his head to make the first oud. - 18423
The words oud and lute might have come from the Arabic al-d or a thin piece of wood shaped like a straw. Or it could be a reference to the wood plectrum used to play the lute traditionally, or to the narrow wooden strips used to make the instruments back part. Or it could simply mean that the top is made of wood.
Research has suggested that d is the Arabized form of the Persian rud; string, stringed instrument, or lute. In Azerbaijan, where it is called an ud, the instrument is very popular. It has been in use in Azerbaijan since the 7th century.
It is highly probable that is was the Arabs who took with them the instrument to Western Europe in 711 AD, when they erected the Umayyad Caliphate of Al-Andalus on the Iberian Peninsula. Or the instrument could have wound its way to the Iberian Peninsula much earlier in the form of the ancient Roman pandura and Greek pandoura. Although, it is established that the royal houses of Al-Andalus cultivated the environment that increased the popularity of the instrument.
Zyriab was the most renowned player of the instrument in Al-Andalus. He put up Spains very first music conservatory. He also added the instruments fifth course and developed playing technique.
This European version of this instruments became to be known as the lute -- luit in Dutch, luth in French, laute in German, liuto in Italian, and alaud in Spanish. Also of French origin is the word luthier or a stringed instrument maker. The use of frets distinguishes the European lute from the Middle Eastern version.
Legend has it that Lamech, Adams sixth grandson, created the instrument. Grieving over his sons death, Lamech suspended the body of his son from a tree. The shape of his sons bleached skeleton put the idea into his head to make the first oud. - 18423
About the Author:
Oud is a musical instrument that is pear-shaped and belongs to the string family. It is ethnic as it is believed to have originated from the Middle East and moved its way to Europe. It does produce a unique and distinguished sound of music. Simply visit this site at http://www.yourworldinstruments.com to know more about it.
posted by X - Men at
2:57 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home