The oud is a stringed musical instrument that originates from the Akkadian period in Iraq during the third millennium BC. The name “oud” in Arabic means “wood” or “stick,” and it is considered the oldest stringed musical instrument in the world. The oud consists of a pear-shaped wooden body and several strings stretched across the instrument’s bridge. The sound is produced by plucking the strings with a plectrum, and it features tuning pegs to adjust the tones accurately. The standard oud typically has four strings, though other types may have five or six strings.
The oud consists of the following parts: The resonator box or back of the oud.
The top or face, which has openings to enhance the sound’s resonance and volume. The neck, where the player presses the strings. The nut, located at the top of the neck, where the strings are supported and raised above the neck. The tuning pegs, typically 12 or 14, used to tighten or loosen the strings.
The strings, which are five double strings, with the possibility of adding a sixth or, more recently, a seventh string. The plectrum, used for playing the instrument. The oud is commonly used in Eastern music ensembles (takhteh sharqi) and in Gulf vocal music.