Experienced teacher of Oud and oriental Arabic singing for over 11 years, I am Lebanese and currently residing in Germany. I studied for 8 years at the Lebanese National Conservatory. I taught at the Casa Beethoven Academy in Lebanon and gave private lessons. In addition, I was conductor of the Loubnan Assalam oriental orchestra for over 5 years. My recommendation for learning the Oud is to start with the study of notes and musical notation before tackling pieces. Although some students prefer to play songs directly, understanding the basics of musical notation allows for faster progress in the long run. With determination and hard work, significant progress can be made in a year, allowing one to play simple melodies. Please feel free to leave me a message, I will reply as soon as possible. Check out my YouTube page: https://youtube.com/ziadhelou