The Oud is a pear-shaped stringed musical instrument commonly used in Middle Eastern and North African music. It can easily be recognized by its lack of frets as well as smaller neck. Ouds first appears in ancient Egypt art which started from the eighteenth dynasty onwards in short and long neck varieties. Today’s Oud is so much different from the ancient prototypes, however. Egyptian Ouds refers to be so gentle, ornate and highly decorated.
Basically, Egyptian Oud belongs to the arena of Arabian Oud but it is unlikely different from Iraqi as well as Syrian Ouds. Besides Iraqi Ouds and Syrian Ouds, Egyptian Oud has a tone a bit different, it has a body looked pear shaped as well. Most important thing is, Egyptian Ouds are more heavily decorated compared to its counterparts. Its scratch plate and even the fingerboard are also embellished with attractive colorful inlays. This has added to its distinctiveness.
