Your First Oud Lesson in Dubai: What to Expect and What to Bring
Before a first lesson I usually get the same messages: “I have never held an oud. Is that a problem?” or “What should I bring?” Both are completely normal questions. In this article I explain what actually happens in a first oud lesson with me, step by step, so you can walk in relaxed.
Before the lesson: a short WhatsApp message
I usually ask for three things only: have you played before, what music do you love listening to, and do you have an oud. This helps me prepare the lesson for you rather than for a generic student. Then we fix the time and place: in person in Dubai, mostly at Al Safa Art & Design Library, or online from anywhere.
What to bring
- Your oud, if you have one. If you don't have one yet, tell me before the lesson and I'll advise you on choosing a suitable first oud.
- A risha (plectrum), if you have one. No problem if not.
- Your phone, to record the exercises at the end.
- A small notebook, or notes on your phone.
For in-person lessons, it helps to arrive about ten minutes early so you can settle in.
The first minutes: getting to know you
I start with a short conversation. Why do you want to learn the oud? Is there a song you dream of playing, do you want to accompany your own voice, or do you want to understand the maqams? If you have played before, I'll ask you to play anything you know, even a short phrase. I'm not looking for mistakes here; I just want to know where to start.
Posture, holding the oud and the risha
Most of the first lesson goes into the foundation: how you sit, where the oud rests on your thigh, and how to hold the risha without tension. It sounds simple, but it decides how comfortable you will be for months to come. I correct your posture calmly until you can feel it yourself, then we try down-strokes and up-strokes on one string.
First notes on a fretless neck
The oud has no frets, so the position of your finger decides whether a note is in tune. That's why we start with a few notes on one or two strings and listen carefully to each one. I use a tuner with you at first, but the goal is for your ear to learn the right pitch.
A musical phrase before the end
I make sure you don't leave the first lesson having played exercises only. We usually finish with a short melodic phrase in a simple maqam such as Rast or Nahawand, so you hear the oud sing in your hands from day one.
After the lesson: a clear practice plan
In the last minutes we record the exercise on your phone, and I tell you exactly what to practise until the next lesson. 15–20 minutes a day is enough at the start. Consistency matters far more than long sessions.
If your first lesson is online
- Place the camera so I can see the whole oud and both hands, ideally from a slight side angle.
- Choose a quiet room and use headphones if you can.
- Install a free tuner app on your phone before the lesson.
To compare the two formats, read Learn oud online or in person in Dubai.
Things not to worry about
- Reading music: not required to start. We learn by ear and imitation first, and I add notation gradually if you want it.
- Slightly sore fingertips: normal in the first weeks, and it fades with regular practice.
- Age: most of my students are adults who started later in life, and that doesn't stop progress. Read How to start learning oud as an adult.
What comes next?
You can start with a single lesson, or go straight into a full 8-lesson course to build a connected foundation. If you're starting from zero, see oud lessons for beginners; if you prefer learning in a small group, there is the oud workshop in Dubai.
Get started: Oud lessons in Dubai · Oud lessons for beginners · Online oud lessons
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own oud before the first lesson?
It's better if you have one, but if not, tell me before the lesson and I'll advise you on choosing a suitable first oud.
Do I need to read music?
No. We start by ear and imitation, and I add notation gradually if you want it.
Is there a trial lesson?
I don't offer trial lessons, but you can start with a single lesson for AED 300 and then decide on the 8-lesson course.
Does a first lesson work online?
Yes, as long as the camera shows the oud and both hands, and the room is quiet.