The oud is very similar to other types of lute, and to Western lutes. Similar instruments have been used in the Middle East, Central Asia and Northern Africa for thousands of years, going back to Mesopotamia, early Egypt and could even have more prehistoric origins. The oud is different from the western lute in that it has no frets and a smaller neck. The Arabic oud was first introduced to Spain and Europe in Andalusia.

The modern arabic oud generally has 11 gut strings that are arranged in five double-courses with a sixth, single bass string. Oud is played with a plectrum. Its speciality neck allows the instrument to generate microtones particular to Middle Eastern music giving it its unique sound. The Arabic Oud has four strings and slightly longer neck than those of its predecessors. It is well liked for playing classical romantic, spiritual, or jazz rhythms. The Oud instrument is suitable for playing Turkish, Iran or Arabian style music by playing maqams/maqamat.

Classical music from Turkish, Arabic and Western music are all based on the same musical theories of scale building created by Pythagoras. Over the centuries the three traditions separated into different directions.

“Arabic scholars made significant contributions in studying and interpreting the works of the ancient Greeks, including in the area of music. One of these developments was the Arabic maqamat, where the octave is divided into 24 equally spaced quarter-tones. Classical Arabic composers show skill in the playing these quarter-tones not through harmony or polyphony (as in the West), but through melody. To Western ears trained in 12 tone equal temperament, these quarter-tones can sound odd at first and are sometimes referred to as micro-tones.” (source)