The oud is a stringed musical genre centered around the deep, rich, and complex melodies of the oud instrument—a pear-shaped, fretless lute with a history that stretches across the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean. Renowned for its evocative and soulful sound, the oud genre is a cornerstone of traditional Arabic music, often featuring virtuosic and improvisational playing that can convey a wide spectrum of emotions. Artists such as Munir Bashir and Naseer Shamma are among its acclaimed masters, each infusing the genre with their unique innovations and compositions. An oud performance can be deeply introspective or energetically dynamic, embodying the diverse cultural influences—from Andalusian to Ottoman—that have shaped the genre's evolution through centuries.
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