Oud & Arabic Maqam Online
Tailor-Made Oud Lessons.
Whether you’re a beginner or already have some experience, each one-to-one lesson is tailor-made to your specific goals and preferred oud style.
Key information:
Prices:
£18 / 30 mins
£27 / 45 mins
£36 / 1 hr
Level Of Study:
Beginners - Professional
Mode Of Study:
Online
Age:
18+
Language:
English
Book A Free Consultation.
Together we’ll discuss:
your oud and strings
the styles of playing you like
your musical experience
What Happens In An Oud Lesson?
Lessons usually begin by focusing on playing techniques to get you warmed up, then we’ll move on to the piece, song, or improvisation you’ve been working on. For an in-depth discussion, watch the video below with oud teacher Julian Harris.
What to expect?
Most students like to begin by following a set syllabus. Then once you know where you’re headed, it’s full steam ahead!
Al-Oud
The oud is one of the most important instruments in Arabic music - for composers, singers and soloists - making it a great choice for anyone who wants to learn this tradition.
If you’re interested in the classics and tarab styles - a feeling of being moved by beautiful maqam music and song - or by more modern ta‘biri- expressive - artistry, the oud is the perfect companion.
This tailor-made approach recognises that ‘you’ are the music. So whilst there’s a shared tradition of materials (see below), everyone’s path will be meaningfully different.
Al-Maqamat
‘Al-Maqamat’ are a collection of modes - musical scales - shared by traditional, classical, contemporary and popular Arabic musics.
Lessons usually begin by introducing nine foundational maqams, followed by the many secondary maqams.
You’ll get to know a variety of genres and styles including: popular songs, notably from the greatest stars like Umm Kulthum, Muhammed Abdu or Fairuz; traditional song forms like the muwashshahat or qasa’id; classical instrumental forms like the samai, bashraf, longa and dulab; as well as improvisation, both in free irtijali and structured taqasim forms.
If you have a particular interest in specific ‘local’ traditions, such as the Iraqi Maqam or Moroccan Andalusi tradition amongst others, materials can be included in lessons. However, if these traditions are your main priority, it’s strongly recommended that you find a specialist as your guide.
Please note that all maqamat will be presented in their Arabic forms, which differ to those of the closely related Turkish/Ottoman tradition, Persian music, or other mugham traditions.
-
Currently students must be 18+ (soon to be from 12+).
If you want to learn the maqamat on an instrument you already play that is NOT the oud, you must have a good ability in the techniques of your chosen instrument.
No prior musical experience is necessary for oud lessons. Beginners are welcome!
Oud students must be able to hold a regular Arabic or Turkish oud.
Your oud should have a minimum of 9 pegs/strings, 11 is preferred.
Ouds should be strung and tuned to an Arabic tuning - either the ‘Arabic’ Do-Do tuning, or the ‘Iraqi’ Fa-Fa tuning. For more info, get in touch.
You will need a ‘risha’ (oud pick).
You’ll need to receive/view PDF documents whilst maintaining a video call.
You’ll also need to run a metronome at the same time as the video call and PDF. (This may be possible via an app, or you may need to get a metronome, depending on your setup).
Half an hour a day practice is recommended.
You may want a foot rest to help secure the oud.
-
£1 from every lesson with Cotton Thistle Studio will be donated to supporting conservation projects. The latest project donated to was for the restoration of seagrass habitats in the UK. For more info, please ask! (Note: Cotton Thistle Studio has no official partnerships in this regard).
Life Cycle Of An Oud Student
Gradually lessons progress through 5 stages, becoming increasingly individualized as your goals clarify. Your development is at your own pace, and shaped by the goals you set (e.g. you may not want to become a professional, but really enjoy playing your favorite songs!).
Essential oud techniques.
9 foundational maqams with simple songs and traditional pieces.
Basics for reading music and playing by ear.
Introducing the main forms (types of piece).
9 maqams seen in more complex settings, moving between maqams, with greater technical demands.
Repertoire of core pieces every oud player should know.
Secondary maqams.
Extending technical ability with more challenging pieces and exercises.
Building a 'library' of tailored repertoire with stylistic guidance, beginning to create your ideal sound.
Seeing the rarer maqams and deepening your connection to the common maqams.
Playing the most technically complex pieces within your preferred style(s).
Becoming comfortable playing taqasim (structured improvisations).
Finessing your professional vision and artistic direction.
kindhearted critical and practical feedback/advice for your projects (when requested).
“The transformation has been incredible. Despite starting from scratch … I’ve reached a level of skill and understanding where I can truly enjoy playing on my own.”
— Hamza Bellahsen, London
“I first met Julian in group classes at the Taqasim Music School in London. When the pandemic hit, I was a complete beginner with no prior experience in any musical instrument. What really set him apart from other online options was his ability to offer well-structured, fun classes that could be completely tailored to my specific interests, making the move to virtual lessons feel seamless and personal.”
“The transformation has been incredible. Despite starting from scratch, I am now able to read sheet music confidently, which has opened up a whole new world of music for me. The biggest change, however, is that I’ve reached a level of skill and understanding where I can truly enjoy playing on my own. Julian has a gift for breaking down complex concepts, and his attention to detail—even over a screen—has given me a solid foundation I never thought possible.”
About the teacher.
Julian has over twenty years experience with Arabic maqam music, as a composer, concert soloist and teacher.
He has been teaching since 2012, spending seven years as an oud teacher at the Arab British Centre in London, and also working as a seminar leader/supervisor and examiner for undergraduates in the music department at King’s College London, on subjects including: the maqamat, music of the Middle East and South Asia, Ethnomusicology and Sound Studies.
He has two areas of specialty in oud performance and composition: firstly, the modern solo style of oud, resulting from eight years of intensive study with Iraqi oud master Ahmed Mukhtar in London. During his PhD research period this was further enriched by time learning with Palestinian player Adel Salameh, and fieldwork in Dubai, observing live sessions in top industry studios, interviewing renowned composer Khaled Muhammed Ali and prominent producer Shakir Hassan about their creative processes, (and also bumping into Khaled al Sheikh recording his new oratorio!).
Since then, Julian has fallen in love with the older tatribi style of oud playing from 1920s and 1930s Egypt, a style as iconic and influential in its day across the region (think Umm Kulthum) as the modern Iraqi-inspired style is today.
Julian studied composition at the Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama, then music at Cambridge (BA) and Oxford (MPhil) universities, concluding with a PhD at King’s College London.
Prior to the pandemic he worked as a professional concert oud player, both as a soloist and in group projects, for example in 2019 with Lux Musicae London for their Secrets of Andalusia UK tour. For health reasons he’s had to stop in-person work these days, but enjoys the quality time that one-to-one online teaching allows.
Cotton Thistle Studio
Online Oud & Maqam Lessons from the UK,
Est. in 2024.