Strange to westerner ears
The oud is flat-out the most interesting and strange looking little guitar that I have ever laid my eyes upon. Well, at least that is what my band teacher told me when I brought my ancient lute to school one day. Perhaps he’d never seen it before, or perhaps he just didn’t know what it was, I don’t know. But what I do know is that it sure has been fun trying to figure out how to play it like the masters of the ancient days played it. Let’s just say that learning the six string guitar is a bit easier, and easier on my westerner ears.