Bait Al Oud was set up by ADACH to promote the traditions of oud performance. The oud - lute - is one of the oldest and most iconic stringed instruments of the Middle East. In many ways it is considered the soul of the Arab people so closely is it linked to their cultural identity. Bait Al Oud is the only institute in the region where musicians focus primarily on the study of one instrument.
Bait Al Oud was set up to disseminate musical awareness in Abu Dhabi in particular and the UAE in general, and highlight the significance of the oud as an important instrument in Arabic music. An important part of its mission is to teach the techniques of oud playing and to raise awareness of the various schools and trends in oud playing. In this way, the contribution of generations of oud players will be respected and carried on by today’s students. Ultimately the vision is to have a new generation of professional musicians in the UAE and create a musical nucleus of local ensembles to participate in musical festivals within the country and abroad.
As an educational project,
Bait Al Oud aims at developing the old traditions of oud playing, laying down an appropriate teaching methodology and the improvement of the manufacture of instruments. Furthermore,
Bait Al Oud aspires to research the history of the oud, the technical aspects of playing this instrument, and different styles of composition. The symbolism of the oud remains central toeverything Bait Al Oud does, spreading an appreciation of the instrument within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the UAE and further afield.
Requirements for students enrollment are as follows :
- Registration is open to all. However, the minimum age is nine
- Applicants with a musical background will be given priority
- Final acceptance of students will be determined following individual interviews conducted by the centre’s director, Mr. Nasser Shama
- Students should delay purchasing an instrument until consulting with the experts at Bait Al Oud.
The methodology of the Bait Al Oud focuses on studying the different playing techniques to develop the level of skill necessary to play the repertoire of the oud. It concentrates on offering a simplified way to absorb the different oud disciplines and the prominent figures of each discipline. Respecting for those who have contributed to the art of oud playing and composition is at the very heart of what Bait Al Oud seeks to accomplish.