UAE | Heritage and Culture

Seven-year-old plays ancient musical instrument

A seven-year old boy captivated the audience by playing the Qanoun, an ancient Arab string instrument, in the first concert at Arabian Oud House on Thursday night.

  • By Eman Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
  • Published: 23:30 November 21, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Seven-year-old Ahmad Hussain Al Shaikh captivated the audience on Thursday night when he played on the qanoun, an ancient Arab musical string instrument.
  • Image Credit: Supplied Picture

Abu Dhabi: A seven-year old boy captivated the audience by playing the Qanoun, an ancient Arab string instrument, in the first concert at Arabian Oud House on Thursday night.

Ahmad Hussain Al Shaikh, the youngest student in the House, impressed the audience when he played the famous song Shams Al Shamousa from legendary composer Sayed Darwish.

Ahmad is among 40 students who joined the Arabian Oud House which was launched last February by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage as an Arab musical institution under the supervision of Oud master and composer Nasser Shamma who founded the Arabian Oud House in Cairo 10 years ago.

In the concert, Shamma lead a group of 14 Oud and Qanoun students and teachers who were displaying their newly-learnt skills and techniques.

Girls and boys from different Arab countries showed talent playing some of the most high profile classical music in the Arab world.

Qanoun was invented in Abassid era 5,000 years ago and usually contains 78 strings. While Oud (Lout) was known in the east in very early ages, some studies refers to the Acadian ages in Iraq 2170-2350 BC. Oud was developed by Arab musician Zeryab in Andalusia and ever since it has become one of the basic instruments in Arab music.

The performance of children on the 5,000-year-old instrument was remarkable. Zaina, a 12-year-old girl played the famous Rahbani brothers composition Nasam Alayna Al Hawa and then nine-year-old Mohammad Ali played 'Kord' Key.

Shamma introduced for the first time talented singer Wa'ad Al Bahri who performed Vienna for the legendary Asmahan.

Shamma told Gulf News "I'm want to register children [7 years and above] in the house in order to strengthen there talents and turn them to professionals in two years."

Teachers in the house are teaching playing of oud and qanoun and in the future nay (fife) and other oriental instruments will be added such as buzok (mandolin), santora and bass.

The house offers a two- year training programme after which each student will be tested by a committee of experts.

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