I stumbled upon your channel recently because i found a new interest in Oud music (i am a guitarist) i didn't know about your music and writing background, I'll definitely give a listen. Also i recently visited Granada and hearing that you are composing music inspired by that place has me very excited. Love and appreciation from Finland!
Abdirahman, I must confess, am a bit jealous. I have been to Europe, but not to Spain. In writing my book I have learned so much about the city, I feel as if I've been there even though I have not. Thank you for your interest. Much more music to come. I think the Oud is the perfect instrument for evoking the history of Granada in music. Best wishes from America!
Hi, I'm Shep, 61, in Asheville, NC (Alexander, actually). I really like what you're doing, although for different motivations. I love the fish tank backdrop. You could improve the lighting and reduce the glare, probably with a curtain across that window. You can easily improve the framing issue by raising the camera up to or above eye level, so it's looking straight at or slightly down at you. Then all of you is in the frame, and your shirt isn't half the frame, and it's still a good angle for the oud as well as your face. I am also a western, non Arab recent convert to the oud, with a background in western music. I am primarily a cellist, also bass-baritone and occasional guitarist, who had never heard of the oud before getting interested in 'middle eastern' music while dating a belly dancer. Discovered the oud, decided to pursue it, attended the Arabic Music Retreat four years ago, on cello because I thought I'd learn more about Arabic music on an instrument I could already play. Good choice, actually, Arabs love cello, and I was one of three cellists instead of one of 50 oud students who could barely play. I have finally gotten a decent Arabic oud, although I can't even find the notes yet and still need to study maqamat. Like you, I have studied history and culture extensively, and have a love of historic cultural accuracy. At AMR there was a Syrian guy, and when he played oud and sang, others said he sounded like a camel herder from 1000 years ago. Of course, he was Muslim, but it is the same culture. One of the vocal instructors was an Arabic Christian woman, and her songs are largely devotional. In Arabic, but Christian in content. I hope you are as accepting of differences as the Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the people, who have mingled for centuries. We differ in that my study of history, and of the history of my original religion, Christianity, led me to discover the historical truth and renounce a fraudulent religion. I'm not here to attack your belief, we are similar in many ways and I love seeing that a western educated music person can get good on the oud. My motivation is mostly musical. I was also impressed by the Arabic culture at AMR, and way everybody sings together. I wish you well and I look forward to more of your tunes.
Shep, were you at the AMR in 18 or 19? I didn't mention this in the video, but I've attended a total of five times, 2001-2004, and 2018, the last time with my wife and two oldest daughters. I know since 20 they haven't had it in-person. If you were there in 19, then I just missed you. I have been to NC, Wilmington and surrounding area. Visited the USS North Carolina. Bit of a naval history nut to be honest, though that's not going to be part of this channel. Thanks for stopping by. If I could get all of my subscribers to weigh in to the extent that you have done so, I'd be thrilled. Best wishes for your efforts on the Oud. I found the Oud to be a harsh mistress in the beginning, but also highly rewarding. Your background in Cello will undoubtedly help. I came at it from the Piano. It was a tough slog.
@@callenclarke371 Looks like it was 2017 when I went. So six years. Lots has happened. Covid, I was homeless and living in my van, then last year was lost to a head injury, surgeries, etc. I'm loving the oud so far. As a child, I loved classical guitar and lute music as much as bowed instruments. Odd that I didn't discover the oud until a few years ago.
@@shepberryhill4912 I found the Oud very late as well. Didn't start until I was 30. Even later with the Baroque and Ren Lutes, at 51. (last year.) It's great therapy for the neurons though, learning all these new instruments. It's like the olympics for your brain.
I stumbled upon your channel recently because i found a new interest in Oud music (i am a guitarist) i didn't know about your music and writing background, I'll definitely give a listen. Also i recently visited Granada and hearing that you are composing music inspired by that place has me very excited. Love and appreciation from Finland!
Abdirahman, I must confess, am a bit jealous. I have been to Europe, but not to Spain. In writing my book I have learned so much about the city, I feel as if I've been there even though I have not.
Thank you for your interest. Much more music to come. I think the Oud is the perfect instrument for evoking the history of Granada in music. Best wishes from America!
Hi, I'm Shep, 61, in Asheville, NC (Alexander, actually). I really like what you're doing, although for different motivations. I love the fish tank backdrop. You could improve the lighting and reduce the glare, probably with a curtain across that window. You can easily improve the framing issue by raising the camera up to or above eye level, so it's looking straight at or slightly down at you. Then all of you is in the frame, and your shirt isn't half the frame, and it's still a good angle for the oud as well as your face. I am also a western, non Arab recent convert to the oud, with a background in western music. I am primarily a cellist, also bass-baritone and occasional guitarist, who had never heard of the oud before getting interested in 'middle eastern' music while dating a belly dancer. Discovered the oud, decided to pursue it, attended the Arabic Music Retreat four years ago, on cello because I thought I'd learn more about Arabic music on an instrument I could already play. Good choice, actually, Arabs love cello, and I was one of three cellists instead of one of 50 oud students who could barely play. I have finally gotten a decent Arabic oud, although I can't even find the notes yet and still need to study maqamat. Like you, I have studied history and culture extensively, and have a love of historic cultural accuracy. At AMR there was a Syrian guy, and when he played oud and sang, others said he sounded like a camel herder from 1000 years ago. Of course, he was Muslim, but it is the same culture. One of the vocal instructors was an Arabic Christian woman, and her songs are largely devotional. In Arabic, but Christian in content. I hope you are as accepting of differences as the Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the people, who have mingled for centuries. We differ in that my study of history, and of the history of my original religion, Christianity, led me to discover the historical truth and renounce a fraudulent religion. I'm not here to attack your belief, we are similar in many ways and I love seeing that a western educated music person can get good on the oud. My motivation is mostly musical. I was also impressed by the Arabic culture at AMR, and way everybody sings together. I wish you well and I look forward to more of your tunes.
Shep, were you at the AMR in 18 or 19?
I didn't mention this in the video, but I've attended a total of five times, 2001-2004, and 2018, the last time with my wife and two oldest daughters. I know since 20 they haven't had it in-person. If you were there in 19, then I just missed you.
I have been to NC, Wilmington and surrounding area. Visited the USS North Carolina. Bit of a naval history nut to be honest, though that's not going to be part of this channel.
Thanks for stopping by. If I could get all of my subscribers to weigh in to the extent that you have done so, I'd be thrilled. Best wishes for your efforts on the Oud. I found the Oud to be a harsh mistress in the beginning, but also highly rewarding. Your background in Cello will undoubtedly help. I came at it from the Piano. It was a tough slog.
@@callenclarke371 Looks like it was 2017 when I went. So six years. Lots has happened. Covid, I was homeless and living in my van, then last year was lost to a head injury, surgeries, etc. I'm loving the oud so far. As a child, I loved classical guitar and lute music as much as bowed instruments. Odd that I didn't discover the oud until a few years ago.
@@shepberryhill4912 I found the Oud very late as well. Didn't start until I was 30. Even later with the Baroque and Ren Lutes, at 51. (last year.) It's great therapy for the neurons though, learning all these new instruments. It's like the olympics for your brain.
Love "Verse" bro!