Oud
A fretless pear-shaped lute from the Middle East.
The oud is a Middle Eastern short-neck lute-type, pear-shaped, fretless stringed instrument, usually with 11 strings grouped in six courses. It is a chordophone in the Hornbostel–Sachs classification and is similar to other types of lute, including Western lutes which developed out of the Medieval Islamic oud.
- oldest_surviving_example
- Several candidates exist, including one at the Museum of Musical Instruments in Brussels
Lore & Background
The oud is the direct successor of the Persian barbat lute. An early description of the 'modern' oud was given by 9th-century philosopher and musician Al-Kindī (or possibly another early author), not Al-Hasan Ibn al-Haytham. The first known complete description of the ‛ūd and its construction is found in the epistle Risāla fī-l-Luḥūn wa-n-Nagham by Yaʻqūb ibn Isḥāq al-Kindī, who specified its length, width, depth, and the proportions of neck and vibrating body.
Historical sources indicate that Ziryab (789–857) added a fifth string to his oud. He was well known for founding a school of music in Andalusia, one of the places where the oud or lute entered Europe. Another mention of the fifth string is sometimes attributed to Al-Hasan Ibn al-Haytham, though this is not reliably confirmed. The claim that in Pre-Islamic Persia, Arabia and Mesopotamia, stringed instruments had only three strings is an oversimplification and not universally accepted; the number of strings varied across regions and periods, with some instruments having more or fewer strings.
Reader's Guide
The oud holds significance as a foundational instrument in Middle Eastern music and as a direct ancestor of the Western lute. Its construction and tuning have been documented since at least the 9th century, with detailed measurements provided by al-Kindī. The instrument's spread to Europe occurred notably through the Umayyad conquest of Hispania in 711 and through musicians such as Ziryab, who founded a school of music in Andalusia. The oud's fretless neck and pear-shaped body distinguish it from the later Western lute. Historically, strings were made of animal gut; modern strings use silk, nylon, or metal wire. The instrument is played with a risha, traditionally an eagle's feather but now often plastic. Multiple theories exist for the origin of the Arabic name 'oud,' including derivation from the Persian word rōd or rūd meaning string, or from Syriac ʿoud-a meaning 'wooden stick.' The oldest surviving oud is housed at the Museum of Musical Instruments in Brussels.
Did You Know?
- Several surviving ouds vie for the title of oldest, including one in Brussels at the Museum of Musical Instruments.
- The first known complete description of the oud's construction was given by 9th-century philosopher Yaʻqūb ibn Isḥāq al-Kindī.
- Ziryab (789–857) added a fifth string to his oud and founded a school of music in Andalusia.
- The word 'oud' in Arabic literally means 'wood' or 'branch.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oud?
The oud is a fretless, short-necked lute with a pear-shaped body, originating in the Middle East. It is classified as a chordophone under the Hornbostel–Sachs system and is typically strung with 11 strings arranged in six courses.
How many strings does an oud have?
The standard setup uses 11 strings grouped into six courses, though you'll also find variants with five or seven courses carrying 10 or 13 strings respectively.
When was the oud first described in writing?
The earliest known written account of the instrument comes from the 9th-century scholar Yaʻqūb ibn Isḥāq al-Kindī. The oldest surviving physical oud on display today is kept in the Museum of Musical Instruments in Brussels.
What makes the oud different from a Western lute?
The oud has no frets on its fingerboard and a shorter neck, giving it a distinct playing feel and sound. It is the direct ancestor of the Western lute, which evolved from the Medieval Islamic oud tradition.
Where is the oud still played today?
It remains a core instrument across the Middle East, Arabia, Turkey, and the Balkan regions. Its fretless, pear-shaped design and chordophone classification make it instantly recognizable in all of those traditions.
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