New vision for capital’s Bait Al Oud

Naseer Shamma and Saif Saeed Ghobash at Bait Al Oud in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy TCA Abu Dhabi

As well as being able to learn the oud at the capital’s Bait Al Oud, music lovers will now be able to master the art of playing rababah – an Arabic bowed stringed instrument, slightly resembling a violin. This makes it only institute in the Gulf region to teach rababah professionally.

The new lessons are part of a new vision for the oud house to preserve the musical traditions of the UAE, which Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) announced this week

Directed by Naseer Shamma, a world renowned master of the oud, Bait Al Oud offers courses and training in playing oriental instruments, in addition to providing programmes to preserve the Arab musical heritage, adopting academic curricula focusing on Arabic music and spreading awareness of its authenticity, techniques and traditions through a series of concerts by the institute’s music instructors, graduates and students.

Saif Saeed Ghobash, the director general of TCA Abu Dhabi, explained that the development of this new vision for Bait Al Oud is in line with the authority’s strategic objectives aimed at establishing Abu Dhabi as a sustainable tourism and culture destination

“Bait Al Oud Abu Dhabi is responsible for reviving the traditions of Arabic music, which is evident when its students and music instructors shine in local, regional and international concerts and festivals, including its concerts in the UAE capital,” he said. “As we launch Bait Al Oud with its new vision towards achieving our cultural and artistic ambitions, I would like to note the pride we take in its achievements, most notably graduating generations of talented and academically qualified artists who skillfully and professionally play the main oriental instruments.”