Courses Oud Beginner
Beginner
Oud Beginner
The fundamental techniques of the oud and an introduction to the Maqam Music System, alongside the eight fundamental maqamaat and traditional and popular repertoire. No prior music knowledge required. Students must have their own instrument; teachers can advise.
Fee £350 (10 weeks)
Secure checkout hosted by the Arab British Centre , our partner venue.
About this course
The fundamental techniques of the oud and an introduction to the Maqam Music System, alongside the eight fundamental maqamaat and traditional and popular repertoire. No prior music knowledge required. Students must have their own instrument; teachers can advise.
What you'll cover
No prior music knowledge is assumed. The class starts with the instrument itself — how to hold it, how to tune it, and how to draw a clean, even tone from each course of strings — and builds from there into the eight fundamental maqamaat that the rest of our oud teaching rests on.
Alongside the technical work you learn what a maqam actually is: not a scale, but a set of notes with a character and a way of moving through them. You play traditional and popular pieces from the early weeks, because here the repertoire is how the maqam system is taught, not a reward for finishing the theory.
You need your own oud. If you have not bought one yet, ask before you do — the teachers will tell you what to look for and what to avoid at the cheaper end of the market.
Most students go on to Oud Upper Beginner the following term. If you would also like to read and write what you are playing, Arabic Music Theory I runs at 11:00 on the same morning.
Places are limited to eight to twelve students. Enrolment opens on the open day and closes when the class is full.
If you're unsure whether this is the right level, we're happy to arrange a fifteen-minute conversation to place you correctly.
How to enrol
- Send a short note using the button above, or come to the open day.
- Agree the right level — a brief chat by phone or video if you've played before.
- Book and pay — we send a booking link with the term fee.
Course fees include all teaching materials. The Mukhtar Method books are sold separately. Concessions available for students and OAPs — please ask.
