Oud

musical instrument · Middle East · strings

Pear-shaped beauty. The oud has a distinctive rounded, pear-like body that gives it an incredibly warm and rich sound. This unique shape helps create the instrument's famous tone that many describe as the voice of the soul.

No frets needed. Unlike a guitar, the oud is fretless, which means players can slide their fingers smoothly across the strings to create notes without bumps or ridges. This lets musicians bend notes and create subtle changes in pitch that would be impossible on a fretted instrument.

String magic. Most ouds have 11 strings arranged in six groups called courses, though some have 10 or 13 strings instead. These strings are plucked with a pick called a risha to make the bright, dancing sounds you hear in traditional Middle Eastern music.

Ancient and timeless. The oud is one of the oldest instruments still played today, with a history stretching back over a thousand years in the Middle East. It inspired the development of the European lute and remains a central part of Arabic, Persian, and Turkish musical traditions.

Cultural treasure. The oud is so important to Middle Eastern culture that it appears in classical music, folk songs, and modern jazz fusion. Musicians around the world now learn to play this beautiful instrument.