The Arab British Centre is delighted to present
Oud and Music Literacy Courses
with Taqasim Music School
January – April 2016
Taqasim Music School launched in March 2011 with the objective of providing education on Middle Eastern music culture.
Under the direction of Iraqi Oud Master Ahmed Mukhtar, both theory and instrumental courses are taught by professional musicians on a regular basis. The aim is to provide affordable access to the music heritage of the Middle-East and promoting dialogue between music cultures.
Taqasim Music School represents a unique resource for organisations and individuals interested in researching the music cultures of the Middle-East.
Below is the list of courses being offered between January – April 2016.
Scroll down for further details on each course.
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23 January – 26 March 2016 | 10 weeks | 20 hours
Music Literacy for Beginners
Saturdays, 11:00 – 13:00
23 January – 2 April
Jan: 23, 30 | Feb: 6, 13, 20
Course Fee: £95
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23 January – 26 March 2016 | 10 weeks | 20 hours
Oud Beginners
Saturdays, 13:00 – 15:00
23 January – 2 April
Jan: 23, 30 | Feb: 6, 13, 20 | Mar: 5, 12, 19, 26 | Apr: 2
Course Fee: £190
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Oud Intermediate
Saturdays, 15:30 – 17:30
23 January – 2 April
Jan: 23, 30 | Feb: 6, 13, 20 | Mar: 5, 12, 19, 26 | Apr: 2
Course Fee: £190
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Oud Upper Intermediate
Saturdays, 17:45 – 19:45
23 January – 2 April
Jan: 23, 30 | Feb: 6, 13, 20 | Mar: 5, 12, 19, 26 | Apr: 2
Course Fee: £190
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Oud Beginners
The Oud is a short-necked fretless lute, the most important and wide-spread instrument in Middle-Eastern music.
The objective of the beginners course is to acquire the fundamental techniques needed to play the Oud and understand the characteristics of the Maqam music system, studying the eight fundamental Maqams together with traditional and popular repertoire.
No previous music knowledge is required to attend this course, as most music is notated as tablature, a visual representation which does not require understanding of music notation. However, we do encourage beginners to sign up to our Music Literacy for Beginners Course. (You can find the description below)
The course is made up of 10 lessons of 2 hours each, for a maximum group of 7 students.
Lessons are taught on a weekly basis and it is recommended that students spend time practising in between lessons. All course materials are provided in printed and digital format.
Students need to have their own instrument, and the teachers are available to assist in finding an Oud and in assessing instruments.
Music Literacy for Beginners
This course is highly recommended for students who want to take oud lessons for the first time but haven’t seriously studied music before.
Learning a new instrument is hard enough by itself: new ideas, new techniques, new pieces of music and lots and lots of practice! So let’s make things a little easier. In this short series (5 lessons) of classes you will learn all the basic skills you need to read, write and “talk” music. Taking a practical approach to music theory, we will be adapting the best bits from Western classical music theory and Arab classical music theory to give you all the tools you need to start your new life as a musician.
Topics for the course will include how to read and write rhythms; how to read and write melodies; understanding the basics of maqam theory and how to recognize maqams in notation; how to understand all the signs and symbols on a musical score.
NOTE: We highly encourage students interested in this course to sign up also to the Oud Beginners course running straight after it on Saturdays from 13:00 – 15:00.
Oud Intermediate
Taqasim Music School offers a more advanced set of courses for groups of students who are interested in improving their Oud playing skills further.
In order to enrol for the intermediate courses, it is required to have attended an Oud beginners course, and have your own instrument. The teachers are available to assist in finding an Oud and in assessing instruments.
Students with existing knowledge may apply but will need to be assessed by a teacher: please contact us.
The level is more advanced than beginners, so students need to take into account time for daily practice and study.
The Oud intermediate course is made up of 10 lessons of 2 hours each, for a maximum group of 7 students.
Lessons are taught on a weekly basis and it is recommended that students spend time practising in between lessons. All course materials are provided in printed and digital format.
During the course, a selection of Maqams (Nahawand, Kurd, Lami, Bayat) will be analysed in detail, studying traditional repertoire to highlight the characteristics of each Maqam, accompanied by technical studies on right hand techniques, left-hand positions and 2 octave scales.
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For more information, or to book a place please contact us on 0207 832 1310 orinfo@arabbritishcentre.org.uk
For FAQs on the music classes, please click here.
For general FAQs on our courses, please click here.
WE ARE HOSTING AN OPEN DAY ON SATURDAY 16th JANUARY
IT IS FREE TO ATTEND – MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE