adem
d'ethnomusicologie
Iranian oud
Ava Arehsazan
Orient | New classes
THE IRANIAN TRADITION OF THE OUD
The Iranian style of playing the oud is a unique tradition, shaped by the distinctive musical language of Persian classical music. The oud, historically known as the barbat in Iran, has deep roots in Persian musical culture and holds an important place in the region’s history. Persian traditions have also exerted a significant influence on the development of modal systems and the musical vocabulary of neighboring cultures.
Beginning in the Safavid period, the barbat gradually disappeared from musical practice in Iran and eventually faded from the core tradition of Persian classical music. After continuing to evolve in neighboring regions, the instrument returned to Iran during the 20th century. In the meantime, Persian classical music had undergone a profound transformation and had become structured around the system now known as dastgâh. The encounter between this instrument, which had returned to Iran, and this new musical context gave rise to a distinctive style of playing the oud, characterized by the ornamentation, modal progression, phrasing, rhythms, and aesthetic specific to the dastgâh tradition.
This workshop is dedicated to this repertoire and to this Iranian style of playing the oud.
Workshop Content
• Focus on the fundamentals of oud playing: posture, instrumental technique, articulation, and tone quality.
• Development of listening skills and understanding of the melodic structures specific to the dastgâh tradition.
• Study of the dastgâh modal system and its repertoire, including metered pieces and unmetered forms (âvâzi).
• Study of the traditional tasnif repertoire and, depending on participants’ interests, practice of singing accompanied by the oud.
• Practice of improvisation at the intermediate and advanced levels, building on acquired modal and musical knowledge.
• Oral transmission and learning through listening, essential elements of the musical tradition.
• Individual and group practice, tailored to each participant’s level, needs, and goals.
All levels welcome
Bio
Ava Arehsazan, born in 1997 in Tehran, is an oud player, composer, and educator specializing in Persian classical music.
Coming from a family of musicians, she began her training with her mother, Azar Zargaryan, from whom she learned the basics of music, Iranian classical music, the setar, and the fundamentals of musical practice. She then developed an interest in the oud, which she initially explored as a self-taught musician—particularly through improvisation and composition—before continuing her training with Ehsan Emami.
She studied the performance of Iranian music at the University of Tehran, where she was taught by Negar Bouban, Dariush Talaei, and Yurdal Tokcan, among others. In 2017, she won first prize for oud at the 11th National Youth Music Festival of Iran. Since 2018, she has collaborated with several Iranian music ensembles, notably the Aan Ensemble and the Nowroud Ensemble. These collaborations have resulted in several recordings, including "Luminous Sunshine", "Neshan", and the album "Nowroud".
Since 2024, she has been a member of the Rokh Quartet. With this ensemble, she has participated in the recording of the albums "Bostanchi" and "Rokh Quartet Live in Tehran", as well as several tours in Europe and Switzerland. Her recent activities include concerts at the Les Suds festival in Arles and the BABEL MUSIC XP festival, as well
as recordings and broadcasts at the Jazzschmiede in Germany and for Planète Ocora / Radio France / France Culture.
Her musical approach is primarily rooted in the dastgâh tradition of Persian classical music. She combines oral transmission and improvisation with a contemporary approach to composition.
LIEU :
ADEM MARAICHERS
44, rue des Maraichers
1205 Genève
Pour d'autres lieux de cours, renseignez-vous directement auprès de l'enseignant
DATES :
2026
5–6 septembre
10–11 octobre
7–8 novembre
12–13 décembre
2027
16–17 janvier
6–7 février
6–7 mars
17–18 avril
15–16 mai
5–6 juin
TARIFS :
Cours individuel : 70 CHF par cours, d’une durée d’environ 50 minutes
Cotisation ADEM obligatoire (50.- CHF par année)
CONTACT :
Courriel : avaarresazan@gmail.com
T : +33 7 72 10 97 68
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