Albuquerque local here, I'm late to the party but I remember busking at cottonwood mall one afternoon and Mr. Alhaj stood and listened for some time before dropping a $20 into the banjo case lol. The woman he was with mentioned he was a musician and Mr. Alhaj played it off very modestly, I had no idea who he was and didn't think much of it. Now almost 2 years later I come across this video and spent a good 20 minutes trying to figure out why in the hell I recognized this guy and then it clicked!! Small crazy world UPDATE: I'm writing now in August 2019 and I ran into him again! I shared a flight with his wife and he was at the airport picking her up. I talked with him a while by the baggage claim and told him this story. Super super nice guy even told me to call him by his name, his wife was very sweet too. THANKS RAHIM YOU''RE AWESOME!
Greetings from your Las Crucen neighbor! I'm researching the Oud and came across this video, only to then come across your comment. Small world indeed! Much love and best wishes!
Every culture deserves its right to be what it wants to be in it's own free living space. All cultures are sacred and must be preserved. All this NWO race and culture mixing is when all this gets lost with time.
@@jskypercussion It's nothing new. Colonization and mixing of cultures has been going on for a very long time. Ironically, many of the aspects you see in different cultures would not exist if cultures did not mix. Cultures do not exist in a vacuum, they borrow from each other. Also, race and culture do not correlate perfectly. There are cultures with a variety of races, especially in countries that had a colonial past. There are races with a variety of cultures (every single major racial group actually)
The lamp inside the drum is to heat up the skin. The drum is made of clay and the skin is usually goat or calf skin which is glued on. The heat from the lamp stretches the skin which tightens up the tone and sensitivity.
The small neck of the instrument of cause makes if difficult. But try playing microtonal compositions and hit the notes this perfectly. This is a work of art.
When I see someone closing their eyes... gives me the thought that the instrument is an extension of themselves. Its a part of them that expresses their soul without words
More than 600,000 people have seen this video - things have changed for the better. Some years ago you wouldn't get such a large number for music that isn't western pop/rock/folk/classic. Brilliant playing
I'm a Christian, I love the middle east and how devoted the people are to God ( allah ), I've been listening to oud music for a few years and I've tried to taken up playing the instrument
There are sadly very few oud players in the uk, and it's made it very hard to learn. It's only through youtube videos that I've been able to find musicians who have been a source of inspiration to me with my own learning, and now there's another. This is just wonderful!
Hey I’m in the UK to planning on learning the Oud. How far have you come or rather how long have you been learning through UA-cam? Also do you wanna learn in Arabic style or Turkish? I’m planning on learning Turkish style Turkish ouds are I guess some have called it known for its easy playing style in that players can pick it and play comfortably also you can tune Turkish ouds lower using Arabic Oud strings. BTW I haven’t brought one yet but if you want we could create some sort of group chat and share what we’re struggling with I also found a teacher online who primarily teaches Turkish style of Oud playing. I’m guessing you know @OudforGuitarists cause he’s the one with the most visibility in the English speaking world for Oud learners and enthusiasts alike
Awesome. Just happened upon this after searching UA-cam for OUD. I thoroughly enjoyed this. After watching, I looked at the description, and turns out this happened on my birthday. Thank you for the wonderful gift!
This is so peaceful to listen to, I'm in front of my wood stove, outside it's grey and raining, and I'm listening to Rahim, while my mind wonders and floats away, love it..
I love middle eastern harmony in general - I find they do an incredible job as skewing our ears to hear music as neither a minor or major key (kinda like how western blues can somewhat do). I think from a theoretical standpoint, its because a lot of the scales lower tetra-chord is usually R b2 - b3 b4 - - .. and that b4's harmonic equivalent is technically a major 3rd
Well I wouldn't say non western. It's just that modern music doesn't use the many modes that we used to. If you listen to let's say medieval ecclesiastical music and chants, they sound alien to us, perhaps someone today would say "middle eastern" there are many cool bands today using diferent modes. The oud's influence on flamenco and spanish guitar is unmistakeable however. Don't you just love music theory? 🤣 Check out Adam Neely brake down various modes. We in Croatia and for that matter all of the balkans have some similar folk instruments influenced by the Turks.
I was lucky enough to see these two master musicians, along with the equally wonderful Iranian santūr player Sourena Sefati, at the WOMAD festival in Adelaide, Australia, earlier this year. They were brilliant. If you haven't already, check out the trio recordings - highly recommended.
Normally with an artist who's very talented but as far outside the realm of my typical tastes as this, I'd listen to one song, give a respectful thumbs up, and move along to the next video... But i had to leave this one on, too good!
TDCTDCs are my discoveries of the year (if only just now - better late then never), great gift for christmas etc. - now I go through them back to forth and, gee!, I love it and all those people making REAL music with REAL instruments and REAL emotions. and I thank them all and the desk that brings them here now into cold+grey germany! how I wish they could heal the world a little bit!
love the way he is so concerned with the actual public he has and not thinking too much in the internet youtube video that his performance will turn into
Such delicately layered melodies, intertwined into what seem, to my ears, to be an intimate musical conversation....moving through tangents & themes effortlessly. Beautiful.
I just got back from Morocco last month and got to experience this music live. I love it so much. I’m a drummer but I’m working on learning guitar and I hope to be able to play one of these eventually.
How wonderful - Issa Malluf - incredible sensitive and polished finger drumming - with Mr. Alhaj a spell and a swirl of intoxicating melody and rhythm is cast and created - makes you want to jump from your seat and spin like a dervish in pure ecstacy!
@@marlon1171 I have yet to encounter an oud teacher. I am sure they exist, but not in my area. I have played Bass for 40 years, so it is has not been that difficult a process for me to play an oud. The secret is to listen to oud players and get the sound in your head. Then when you play, you know what you need to sound like. Watching video's can be very helpful. like in this video. I see he uses his thumb the way a finger picking guitarist would. I have always played with the pick. I never really thought of using my thumb. Which is kind of dumb on my part. I also noted that he uses the top of his middle finger to mute strings. I never thought of doing that, I would use the bottom of my hand near the wrist like a flamenco guitarist. Also it is very important to get an oud pick. A regular guitar pick does not sound right. Godin makes a nice oud that is a very good place to start. Good luck, may the force be with you!
when you play for years, and i have for almost 20 years now, the last thing you would worry about is where you place your fingers .. You play like you speak .. You never check where your tong goes, you just think about what you are going to say and how you are going to say it
@Mi Movil you mean how do you play in time if it’s fretless? Well, some does with hearing and others by using a tuner.. you’ll get used to it with time and memorize :)
I stumbled across the oud, and later the kora, while searching for music to play in my D&D games. My homebrew world is rooted in non-Western European cultures (I got tired of the genero-medieval nonsense that WotC seems to exclusively publish). One part of the world is Arab-Andalusian, and I like to listen to music from the region whenever I'm planning sessions. This instrument. My god. It is glorious. It has flavors of almost every style that I love. I wish with all my heart I could get my hands on one and learn to play. It is like a poem. This video deserves FAR more views than it has. I will be looking for more Rahim AlHaj now. And that is one of the many beauties of the Tiny Desk Concert series.
My guitar teacher showed us this today and I think the oud is really cool! I like the sounds and how its played! I might keep looking in to tiny desk concerts a little bit more :D
Love and Music are the only languages that can't be bordered. Music is the language of the Good Humans and is the expression of Love put into an instrument (as any other form of art, in fact). If one day in the dark future of our History any alien civilisation ever reaches the leftovers of once was Earth, music will be the only thing left that will be relevant and interesting for them to study, keep and adopt.
I love the Tiny Desk concerts. So many amazing artists, so many musical styles and cultures to which I've been introduced. I didn't know that I didn't know, and I'm happy that I know now.
It's only 17:00, but 0:00 "Dream" 6:10 "Warm Voice" 10:00 "Friendship" (my favorite) 12:40 "Flying Bird" It may not be culturally appropriate, but a female voice with this would be terrific.
I do like the low range to mid highs in a compact design. When You slide those bass notes it's like a stand up bass. Cool not to mention the classical guitar tones and of course Arabic sounds.. Vesatilty is THERE.
Fantastic. Thank you NPR. Anyone who liked this might want to also check out “dance of the palms” by Rahim Alhaj, it is the first song I ever heard from him, a memorable tune.
Albuquerque local here, I'm late to the party but I remember busking at cottonwood mall one afternoon and Mr. Alhaj stood and listened for some time before dropping a $20 into the banjo case lol. The woman he was with mentioned he was a musician and Mr. Alhaj played it off very modestly, I had no idea who he was and didn't think much of it. Now almost 2 years later I come across this video and spent a good 20 minutes trying to figure out why in the hell I recognized this guy and then it clicked!! Small crazy world
UPDATE: I'm writing now in August 2019 and I ran into him again! I shared a flight with his wife and he was at the airport picking her up. I talked with him a while by the baggage claim and told him this story. Super super nice guy even told me to call him by his name, his wife was very sweet too. THANKS RAHIM YOU''RE AWESOME!
SasquatchDream Great story. Thanks for sharing.
Greetings from your Las Crucen neighbor! I'm researching the Oud and came across this video, only to then come across your comment. Small world indeed! Much love and best wishes!
Hearing stories like yours and music like Mr. AlHaj's...I'm pleased to be alive. I wish I could be more elaborate, but that's the essence.
Amazing thanks for sharing
beautiful story
He’s from my city, the immortal Baghdad that will keep producing majestic creativity no matter what happens to her.
يا رب
My Greek 97 year old grandfather plays this instrument. Absolutely gorgeous instrument 🧡🧡🧡
God Bless your grandfather, I agree a beautiful Islamic instrument!! ❤️
i wish him and you having many many years in good healthy life
Wow! Awesome
@@abulfazl1002 "Islamic instrument" you've got to be kidding
@@abulfazl1002 no
Politicians try and tell us that its our cultures that separate us. Music tells us that it's our cultures that unite us all, as one people.
politicians an clerics
Every culture deserves its right to be what it wants to be in it's own free living space. All cultures are sacred and must be preserved. All this NWO race and culture mixing is when all this gets lost with time.
Music transends all cultures.
Callie1981 Music knows no boundaries
- Ladysmith Black Mombozo
@@jskypercussion It's nothing new. Colonization and mixing of cultures has been going on for a very long time. Ironically, many of the aspects you see in different cultures would not exist if cultures did not mix. Cultures do not exist in a vacuum, they borrow from each other.
Also, race and culture do not correlate perfectly. There are cultures with a variety of races, especially in countries that had a colonial past. There are races with a variety of cultures (every single major racial group actually)
The lamp inside the drum is to heat up the skin. The drum is made of clay and the skin is usually goat or calf skin which is glued on. The heat from the lamp stretches the skin which tightens up the tone and sensitivity.
That is truly fascinating
What kind of lamp is it though? I imsgine for convenience sake modern ones are electric? What did the traditional ones burn?
@@tomaspabon2484 we heat our drums over wood fire traditionally
Fascinating.
Oud brings back memories of childhood & my uncle playing after family dinner.
That must have been awesome. The only thing my uncle played was the slot machines...
Beautiful memories, so lucky!
I am always in awe of people who can play fret less instruments
violin is the ultimate fretless instrument
The small neck of the instrument of cause makes if difficult. But try playing microtonal compositions and hit the notes this perfectly. This is a work of art.
And it seems like he is closing his eyes alot, really hard to play that way
When I see someone closing their eyes... gives me the thought that the instrument is an extension of themselves. Its a part of them that expresses their soul without words
+black hat - valuing is the ultimate important thing in music...
Wow I playing this and my kids all ran into the room and started dancing. Music transcends cultures and time!
the way he flicks between using the pick and then his thumb is insane. skills and beauty combine. humans can really be awsome
More than 600,000 people have seen this video - things have changed for the better. Some years ago you wouldn't get such a large number for music that isn't western pop/rock/folk/classic. Brilliant playing
UA-cam is available in the Arabic countries. Some of the viewers of this vid come from that area.
make that a million!
I'm a Christian, I love the middle east and how devoted the people are to God ( allah ), I've been listening to oud music for a few years and I've tried to taken up playing the instrument
Rahim, I love your performance, best wishes for you and Iraqi people, greeting from Iran.
There are sadly very few oud players in the uk, and it's made it very hard to learn. It's only through youtube videos that I've been able to find musicians who have been a source of inspiration to me with my own learning, and now there's another. This is just wonderful!
Hey I’m in the UK to planning on learning the Oud. How far have you come or rather how long have you been learning through UA-cam? Also do you wanna learn in Arabic style or Turkish? I’m planning on learning Turkish style Turkish ouds are I guess some have called it known for its easy playing style in that players can pick it and play comfortably also you can tune Turkish ouds lower using Arabic Oud strings. BTW I haven’t brought one yet but if you want we could create some sort of group chat and share what we’re struggling with I also found a teacher online who primarily teaches Turkish style of Oud playing. I’m guessing you know @OudforGuitarists cause he’s the one with the most visibility in the English speaking world for Oud learners and enthusiasts alike
what a wonderful pair of musicians
the percussionists skills as an accompanist are a joy to watch
Anders ahh rhythm yes but he is playing lower bass strings
Awesome. Just happened upon this after searching UA-cam for OUD. I thoroughly enjoyed this. After watching, I looked at the description, and turns out this happened on my birthday. Thank you for the wonderful gift!
So beautiful! Absolutely sublime. Very moving. Guitar player here. I am amazed at how expressive this instrument is. This man is truly a master of it.
This is so peaceful to listen to, I'm in front of my wood stove, outside it's grey and raining, and I'm listening to Rahim, while my mind wonders and floats away, love it..
Wow, the percussion! What an underrated musical discipline. He's awesome!
Forreal tho, I was jamming to his stuff through the whole thing
شكرا استاذ رحيم على الجمآل دا ♥
Whatever that says, I probably agree.
@@dhiaaah what language is the original comment? if you do not mind telling. i am ignorant.
it's arabic @@boozycruze7679
I love non western scales.
I love middle eastern harmony in general - I find they do an incredible job as skewing our ears to hear music as neither a minor or major key (kinda like how western blues can somewhat do).
I think from a theoretical standpoint, its because a lot of the scales lower tetra-chord is usually R b2 - b3 b4 - - .. and that b4's harmonic equivalent is technically a major 3rd
Well I wouldn't say non western. It's just that modern music doesn't use the many modes that we used to. If you listen to let's say medieval ecclesiastical music and chants, they sound alien to us, perhaps someone today would say "middle eastern" there are many cool bands today using diferent modes. The oud's influence on flamenco and spanish guitar is unmistakeable however.
Don't you just love music theory? 🤣
Check out Adam Neely brake down various modes. We in Croatia and for that matter all of the balkans have some similar folk instruments influenced by the Turks.
EE RG beginning sounds like some microtonal variation of f minor. sick vibes
Arabic scales are one of my favorite things about my culture, I love to see people from other cultures appreciating them
Most westerners like them when they hear them, yet they don't make their way to western music somehow!
I was lucky enough to see these two master musicians, along with the equally wonderful Iranian santūr player Sourena Sefati, at the WOMAD festival in Adelaide, Australia, earlier this year. They were brilliant. If you haven't already, check out the trio recordings - highly recommended.
Started learning to play the oud after 10 years of playing guitar. It's not easy, hat's off to you sir, your skill and talent is on another level.
Aside from the incredible music, also can't get over how beautiful this man is.
NPR seems to be on to something good
and is sharing the wealth
among us all
hes live on KEXP also with an interview about his music and what it means , hes a very humble person. his music very expressive and moving..
they's the saviours
I love the subtle technical brilliance of the drummer. It's lovely hearing the doumbek/darbuka played with such subtlety.
NPR has never disappointed me. Always bringing the best music the general public is unable to hear. Thank you
Normally with an artist who's very talented but as far outside the realm of my typical tastes as this, I'd listen to one song, give a respectful thumbs up, and move along to the next video... But i had to leave this one on, too good!
you're so right about the typical "respectful thumbs up" !
Have you ever heard his album "Letters from Iraq"? I strongly recommend you do. Greetings.
I was shocked with awe recently when I saw someone on the train with an Oud. Seems like such a cool instrument! Really want to have one one day!
Its so awesome to play
Probably one of the best oud musicians in the world. Very moving and beautiful.
Best thing self isolation led me to
good to know people are spending their time finding good music
Well said. Good tunes for isolation. Make you stop and think.
I love NPR ♥
You guys are the best! thanks for bringing middle eastern music to NPR audience!
KEXP
This guy played for my highschool class once. I've worked bavkstage for a few shows for him. Good dude! So cool to see him on tiny desk!
READ THE DESCRIPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He’s amazing.
He makes the ancestors proud.
TDCTDCs are my discoveries of the year (if only just now - better late then never), great gift for christmas etc. - now I go through them back to forth and, gee!, I love it and all those people making REAL music with REAL instruments and REAL emotions. and I thank them all and the desk that brings them here now into cold+grey germany! how I wish they could heal the world a little bit!
كم عزفك جميل و كم هي جميلة تلك الأنغام الشرقية
Blessed To Hear This Fantastic Instrumental Music. Incredible Musicians. From Chennai India.🇮🇳
God I love Ouds. I’m a guitarist, but am just fascinated with the past’s iterations of the guitar. Very beautiful.
this is without doubt, one of the best musics i've ever heard....
I have repeated this piece many and many times over and over. Yet each time gives me a new FEELING , WONDERFUL piece of music
me too. :)
Such a different sound to anything we hear in Western music, incredible!
As a classical violinist, I am always aspiring to play my instrument like this man does…speaking and singing through it
exactly what I needed on a lazy Friday afternoon, oh my 💕
same here
Commenting this on a lazy Friday 3 years later xDD
that percussionist was killing it!
He indeed murdered it. Such talented Brother!!!
This is the kinda music you feel. Not just listen to 🙏
Thank you for bringing the beautiful and rich music of Middle East, Arab and Persian ...to us. This’s absolutely amazing talent.
love the way he is so concerned with the actual public he has and not thinking too much in the internet youtube video that his performance will turn into
Such delicately layered melodies, intertwined into what seem, to my ears, to be an intimate musical conversation....moving through tangents & themes effortlessly.
Beautiful.
I just got back from Morocco last month and got to experience this music live. I love it so much. I’m a drummer but I’m working on learning guitar and I hope to be able to play one of these eventually.
If I close my eyes I imagine those countries!
Thank GOD for the gift of music.
How wonderful - Issa Malluf - incredible sensitive and polished finger drumming - with Mr. Alhaj a spell and a swirl of intoxicating melody and rhythm is cast and created - makes you want to jump from your seat and spin like a dervish in pure ecstacy!
The oud is truly a magical instrument. Time travel via music.
Music that touches the soul,thank you.
Music always unites people of all cultures because music has no difference
blessings to all rahim and issa are a true blessing this is music of the soul and so great in these turbulent times
So good, after reading the description I went back and listened to the first song again, I was one of those displaced children.. Thank you
thank you Tiny Desk.
Thank you NPR.
Thank you all for watching.
Thanks.
cheers.
Saw him play at outpost in Albuquerque early 2000 amazing performance!!
I'm huge fan of oud! I was enjoying every second of this video. Thank you NPR for bringing such variety of great musicians!
Wrote my screenplay with this on repeat.
Did you like it ?
@Ivory_ Lagiacrus_YT I was talking about the screen play
His right hand muting tech. is amazing. I am a self taught oudist and I learned a few things here. What a player.
Are all pro oud players self tought?
@@marlon1171 I have yet to encounter an oud teacher. I am sure they exist, but not in my area. I have played Bass for 40 years, so it is has not been that difficult a process for me to play an oud. The secret is to listen to oud players and get the sound in your head. Then when you play, you know what you need to sound like. Watching video's can be very helpful. like in this video. I see he uses his thumb the way a finger picking guitarist would. I have always played with the pick. I never really thought of using my thumb. Which is kind of dumb on my part. I also noted that he uses the top of his middle finger to mute strings. I never thought of doing that, I would use the bottom of my hand near the wrist like a flamenco guitarist. Also it is very important to get an oud pick. A regular guitar pick does not sound right. Godin makes a nice oud that is a very good place to start. Good luck, may the force be with you!
The music - stirring yet pleasant but not overwhelming. I close my eyes and am taken back to a souk in Syria many years ago. Outstanding musicians.
I impressed that even if he played with his eyes open he still could not see what he was doing.
when you play for years, and i have for almost 20 years now, the last thing you would worry about is where you place your fingers .. You play like you speak .. You never check where your tong goes, you just think about what you are going to say and how you are going to say it
@@lllllMlllll Well said
@@lllllMlllll for some. jim hall, otoh,
@Mi Movil yes it’s fretless and of course looking would make huge difference
@Mi Movil you mean how do you play in time if it’s fretless? Well, some does with hearing and others by using a tuner.. you’ll get used to it with time and memorize :)
I stumbled across the oud, and later the kora, while searching for music to play in my D&D games. My homebrew world is rooted in non-Western European cultures (I got tired of the genero-medieval nonsense that WotC seems to exclusively publish). One part of the world is Arab-Andalusian, and I like to listen to music from the region whenever I'm planning sessions.
This instrument. My god. It is glorious. It has flavors of almost every style that I love. I wish with all my heart I could get my hands on one and learn to play. It is like a poem.
This video deserves FAR more views than it has. I will be looking for more Rahim AlHaj now. And that is one of the many beauties of the Tiny Desk Concert series.
Nice marmot
This makes me want to visit Baghdad 🇮🇶
Amar90 you’re welcome bro
That drum with the light is pretty cool! Fantastic performance!
Music should be this intimate and personal.
Nope it should be shared.
My guitar teacher showed us this today and I think the oud is really cool! I like the sounds and how its played! I might keep looking in to tiny desk concerts a little bit more :D
nice to discover a living legend
احلى شي بالموسيقى انها ماتحتاج ترجمه والكل يگدر يفهمها 💓
Amazing. Really takes you to another place. Beautiful, inspiring and powerful world music. I love it. Thank you NPR for having them.
This is AWASOME, music is awasome, a path which leads to Humanity and Freedom. My best compliments, Mr. AlHay
Both my hubby and I got to hear him play in person. It was an amazing experience!
I love tiny desk concerts !
Inspiring performance set in a working atmosphere for us tired souls. It is and shall continue to be a blessing.
it's relaxing and beautiful
That was really great! I’m glad they can carry on the traditional instruments and style
Very lovely!
NPR Music, you are a gem in the desert!
Love and Music are the only languages that can't be bordered. Music is the language of the Good Humans and is the expression of Love put into an instrument (as any other form of art, in fact). If one day in the dark future of our History any alien civilisation ever reaches the leftovers of once was Earth, music will be the only thing left that will be relevant and interesting for them to study, keep and adopt.
I love the Tiny Desk concerts. So many amazing artists, so many musical styles and cultures to which I've been introduced.
I didn't know that I didn't know, and I'm happy that I know now.
Makes me cry of how beutiful sound is
I think th is is one of my favorite instruments now! just discovered it and it sounds sooooo awesome.
Check Hossein Behroozinia you will love his oud play
It's only 17:00, but
0:00 "Dream"
6:10 "Warm Voice"
10:00 "Friendship" (my favorite)
12:40 "Flying Bird"
It may not be culturally appropriate, but a female voice with this would be terrific.
No dont worry about it bud, the most legendary Arab voices have been women, check Fairouz or Um Kalthoom.
The Flying Bird, written by Mounir Bashir, The Legend of the Oud
Blimey that was something special.That just made my day,thanking you lots,listening from England.
This music is so calming and energetic at the same time.
I do like the low range to mid highs in a compact design. When You slide those bass notes it's like a stand up bass. Cool not to mention the classical guitar tones and of course Arabic sounds.. Vesatilty is
THERE.
Every time I listen to his music my eyes are filled with tears just a yearning..
❤ hugs
A great representative of the middle eastern music. Very talented!!!
Amazing! We want more traditional music! ❤️❤️
Beautiful. I wish more people would broaden their horizons. Outstanding.
Fantastic. Thank you NPR. Anyone who liked this might want to also check out “dance of the palms” by Rahim Alhaj, it is the first song I ever heard from him, a memorable tune.
Beautiful music
The last one (flying birds) was really awesome. Euphoric tone.
I love this so much
Good lord this is fantastic.
There’s so much talent between those two men it’s alarming
i am greatful for listening your music and so sorry for what have been done in Irac by thewest authorities, capital and army.
NPR as usual comes up with great ideas. Love this program and all the new music you present.
Bravooo...!!! Maravilloso recital. Aplausos...!!!
My first time hearing this and I so enjoy listening to this type of music and this particular instrument