Beginner oud players and seasoned performers alike may be curious about which musicians they can turn to for inspiration. The truth is, this pear-shaped instrument that resembles a lute has Arabic roots. 

Thus, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the best Arabic oud players. Below, we’re diving into the top seven people who meet these criteria, as well as their impact on the world of oud music.

Best Arabic Oud players You Must Know

1. Farid El Atrache

Also spelled as “Farid al-Atrash”, this name became popular in the 20th century when the man behind it built a vast career around music. Specifically, he was a composer, singer, and master oud instrument player sometimes referred to as “King of the Oud”. 

He was actually born in Syria in 1910 and made a decades-long career related to oud playing. He churned out hundreds of songs in his lifetime, many of which were recorded in Egypt, where he played most often.

2. Ara Dinkjian

This Armenian-American composer and musician is no stranger to the oud. Dinkjian is one of the performers all oud players should turn to for contemporary oud playing and compositions. His unique style combines western composing styles with the oud’s sounds. In 2002, he represented Armenia for the 12 top oud players in the world. 

And if you want to hear his work in a musical group setting, you should listen to the group Night Ark. This group consists of oud, piano, percussion, and other sounds.

3. Naseer Shamma

Third, all oud players should check out Naseer Shamma for his traditional Arabic oud playing style. This Iraqi-Kurdish performer actually founded the Arabic Oud House in Cairo. Not only is he a great instrumentalist; he’s also a UNESCO Artist for Peace. 

Some of his popular musical works include a record called “Eastern love story”, recorded in the 1990s. He’s also well-known for “the departure of the Moon”, “for the children of Iraq”, and “Ahlam Ateqa”. 

4. Munir Bashir

Munir Bashir is not only famous for his playing of the oud; he was also one of the greatest Middle Eastern musicians from the 20th century. Up-and-coming studiers of this instrument who are keen on improvisation should be sure to check out Bashir’s work. 

He was recognized for his unique playing style, including improv and the “maqam form”. His influences included various music styles, from Kurdish to Byzantine, Assyrian, Turkish, Abbasidian, and Persian.

5. Mohamed el-Qasabgi

Mohamed el-Qasabgi was one of the most prominent Egyptian composers to come from the 20th century. He both composed music for the oud and played it excellently. 

With his well-practiced skills, he ended up mentoring many musicians who went on to be big oud players themselves. These included Farid al Atrache, Riad al Sunbati, and Mohammad Abdel Wahab. Some of his popular works include “Raq al Habeeb”, “Ya Tuyoor”, and “Ana Qalbi Daleel”. 

Instrumentalists who want to learn more about older Oriental styles, as well as European influences in oud music, should check out el-Qasabgi. He presented a more traditional style, stemming from his musical beginnings at a very young age.

6. Riyad al-Sunbati

As previously mentioned, al-Sunbati was one of the students of Mohamed el-Qasabgi, where he learned Egyptian oud skills. al-Sunbati dominated in the 20th century, following in the footsteps of his father. 

Riyad al-Sunbati was known not only for his musical skills but also for his deep-rooted love of the instrument itself. At a certain point, people coined the name “the canary of Mansoura” for him. 

Although he passed away in the 1980s, his music brought new contributions to Arabic oud music. He frequently used combinations of vocals, as well as instruments such as mandolins and accordions with the oud. This led to unique waltz-y and tango-esque rhythms, making way for new blends of sounds.

7. Yurdal Tokcan

Yurdal Tokcan is a famous Turkish oud player who is still active to this day. Tokcan played in the Istanbul State Turkish Music Ensemble in the 1990s, and he has worked as an instructor of the instrument. 

Players who are interested in both traditional styles and modern oud advancements will be pleased by Tokcan’s style. His skills are big on melodies, as well as classical Turkish sounds. 

Author Bio:

Daniel Karni -The Owner of Ethnic Musical. An expert for Turkish & Arabic musical

instruments since 2008. A multi-instrumentalist, and a fan of middle eastern musical

traditions. Plays the Oud, Saz & Ney.