Ūd (instrument)

An ud, often spelled oud, is a stringed musical instrument common in the music of the Middle East, Mediterranean region, and Africa. The pear-shaped instrument is similar to the lute, which was popular in Europe, and is played in a manner similar to a guitar. Ud designs vary depending on their country of origin. At times the ud was considered to have magical powers that were applied to both winning victory in battle and to healing.

Despite its long history in many countries, the music of the ud has been threatened in some places by religious extremists who see all music as immoral. Some enthusiasts are taking steps to make sure the songs and music of the ud are preserved.

Background

The word ud is the Arabic word for "wood" or "thin strip of wood." Most historians believe the instrument was given that name because of the thin wooden strips that make up its back. The instrument is also alternatively referred to as the oud, the aoud, and the outi.

The instrument has a long history and is believed to have originated in Persia. It is similar to a Persian instrument known as the barbat, which developed about the first century B.C.E. Scholars believe both instruments developed as variations of an even older instrument that also led to the development of the lute; the origins of that instrument have been traced to Mesopotamia during the Bronze Age (2000 B.C.E. to 500 B.C.E). Various authorities date the origin of the ud to different time periods, depending on whether they are speaking about the instruments that led to the development of the ud or the first instrument known as an ud.

The oldest known representation of an instrument resembling the ud is in a drawing dated to 2350 B.C.E. The drawing depicts a shepherd playing an instrument with a long neck. It is the earliest-known depiction of the lute, a stringed instrument that developed into the ud and several other instruments. The remains of a wooden lute with a curved sound box and long neck has been found in Egypt and dated to 1500 B.C.E.

Anecdotal stories trace the origin of the ud to an ancient time period. The most popular legend traces the origin of the instrument to a man named Lamak (sometimes spelled Lamach), the sixth great-grandson of Adam and Eve from the ancient religious scriptures. When Lamak's very young son died, Lamak hung his body in a tree where he could continue to see it. After the body dried, Lamak fashioned a musical instrument in the shape of the remains to help him remember his lost son and played it as he mourned. Other ancient stories connect the development of the ud to Noah during the great flood, to fairy Jinn or genies who created it to entertain the king, to a Persian king named Gashmeed, and to Plato.

The instrument was very popular with Arabic people in pre-Islamic days, when it was variously known as Albarbat, Almoter, Alkaran, and by several other names. During the Crusades (eleventh through thirteenth centuries C.E.), the Arabs carried the instrument with them to Europe where it developed into the lute, a favored instrument of medieval musicians. Both the lute and the ud are regarded as forerunners of the modern guitar.

Over the centuries, the ud has been an important part of the music of many cultures, including Middle Eastern, Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Greek, Jewish, Byzantine, North African, Somalian, and Armenian. Two distinct forms of the ud have developed, each of which is preferred by different areas of the world.

Overview

The ud is a stringed instrument that is played by plucking rather than bowing. The instrument has a pear-shaped sound box with a wooden back and belly or front with holes that help project the sound. A long wooden neck helps support the strings that run from the scroll at the top to the bridge near the bottom of the instrument front. Uds have five pairs of strings (ten single strings), though some have been developed with a sixth pair to enhance the vocal range of the instrument. Occasionally, uds are devised with seven or eight pairs; these are called Musaba (meaning "seven") or Muthaman ("eight"). While the strings on ancient instruments were made of animal intestines, contemporary instruments have metal or nylon strings, much like contemporary guitars.

The ud is played by plucking or strumming the strings, much like a guitar. The player, called an oudist, uses a long thin pick called a risha or mizrap. The pick is most often made of plastic or animal horn, but can also be made of tortoise shells or eagle feathers. This is held in the crease where the fingers join the hand, with the pick extending from the hand on either side.

The two main variations of ud are Arabic and Turkish. The main differences are in size, string configuration, pitch, and tone. The Arabic ud is larger and deeper in sound. It is also tuned to a lower pitch. This instrument is most popular in Iraq, Syria, and Egypt. The Turkish instrument is smaller with its strings placed closer together. Its tone is higher and with a more high-pitched sound. It is the favored form in the Mediterranean area, particularly Greece.

In the past, magical powers were attributed to the music of the ud, including the ability to help in battle and to heal mental and physical illnesses. It was also considered the music of the upper class and royalty. Over time, the ud was replaced in popular culture by the guitar, though some musicians have continued to play the ancient instrument and its music and have found success in the music industry.

In contemporary times, the ud, its music, and musicians have come under fire in some countries where extremists consider all music to be an affront to their religious values. The ud and its music have at times been banned in some areas of the Middle East and musicians who ignored the ban have been subjected to punishment by flogging. This has resulted in some musicians fleeing these areas. Other efforts, such as teaching children in refugee camps to play the ud, have been undertaken to preserve the ud and the skills required to play it.

Bibliography

Haverstick, Neil. "The Oud: Ancient to Modern." Vintage Guitar Magazine, .vintageguitar.com/25131/the-oud/" www.vintageguitar.com/25131/the-oud/. Accessed 1 June 2017.

"The History of Oud." Oud Hobbyists Association, YPERLINK "http://www.oud-ha.gov.om/2010/aboutoud.aspx" www.oud-ha.gov.om/2010/aboutoud.aspx. Accessed 1 June 2017.

Kontanis, Mavrothi. School of Oud. Mel Bay Publications, 2012.

"The Musical Instrument Uniting a Divided Middle East." The Economist, 22 Mar. 2017, HYPERLINK "http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2017/03/oud-health" www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2017/03/oud-health. Accessed 1 June 2017.

"Ooooh, the Oud." Smithsonian Folkways, HYPERLINK "http://www.folkways.si.edu/ooooh-oud/music/tools-for-teaching/smithsonian" www.folkways.si.edu/ooooh-oud/music/tools-for-teaching/smithsonian. Accessed 1 June 2017.

"The Oud." Middle East Web, INK "http://www.mideastweb.org/culture/oud.htm" www.mideastweb.org/culture/oud.htm. Accessed 1 June 2017.

"Oud Facts." String Kings Music, usic.com/oud/" stringkingsmusic.com/oud/. Accessed 1 June 2017.

Romer, Megan. "Ancient Instrument the Oud." Thought Co., 27 Apr. 2017, YPERLINK "http://www.thoughtco.com/oud-instrument-3552875" www.thoughtco.com/oud-instrument-3552875. Accessed 7 June 2017.

Tan, Monica. "Joseph Tawadros on Why the Oud Is Not an 'Ethnic' Instrument." Guardian, 8 Feb. 2015, RLINK "http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/09/joseph-tawadros-on-why-the-oud-is-not-an-ethnic-instrument" www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/09/joseph-tawadros-on-why-the-oud-is-not-an-ethnic-instrument. Accessed 7 June 2017.

Wood, Geoff. "Story of the Oud." Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 12 July 2015, YPERLINK "http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rhythmdivine/story-of-the-oud/7042208" www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rhythmdivine/story-of-the-oud/7042208. Accessed 1 June 2017.