Re: Muslim Roots, US Blues

Joseph Scott wrote:
>>The modern guitar is a direct descendant of the oud, an Arabic lute
that was introduced to Europe during Spain's Muslim reign. <<

According to my humble opinion this is not correct. As far as I understand

it the Oud and the off springs, the European Lutes, form their own 
ethno-musical  branch.

Source:A history of the Lute from Antiquity to the Renaissance. Lute
Society 
of America.
LOC no: 2002 2103414

Remember that scholars ( Sachs-Hornbostel- Wachsmann classification system

from 1914/1961) use the word "lutes" for all plucked Chordophones. And
they 
used the name "bowed lutes" for fiddle instruments. It has nothing to do 
with the Oud/Lute instruments from an origin point of view for all
different 
type of plucked string instruments with straight necks and finger boards.

As I understand it most likely the guitar, from a construction point of 
view, is a descendent from the waist wooden body Tar/Chartar family string

instruments. They have their origin in the Middle East regions of
Iran/Iraq 
and Azerbadajn. Tar means string in the old language Sanskrit and can be 
found in names of many lute instruments in the Middle East and Indian 
regions like Sitar, Dotar etc.

The Tar /Chartar lutes were brought to Spain during the mediaeval. During 
the centuries it first evolved into a flat back waist body four string 
instrument called Quitarra/Chitarra and later during the 18th Century to
be 
further developed into the modern type of six string Guitars.

For more detailed brief information (Guy´s personal take) and pictures, 
check the history part at, http://www.guyguitars.com:80/eng/index.html

However the 600 CE Arabic Oud (means wood), European Lutes and Guitars
can/ 
should of course have shared a lot from musical and culture point of view 
during the last millennium.

Ulf Jagfors

-- 
Information about the history of the banjo;
www.myspace.com/banjoulf
www.youtube.com/user/ulfjagfors
www.myspace.com/akonting
www.myspace.com/banjoroots