The Middle Eastern lute from which all European lutes evolved and one of the most important instruments in Arabic and Islamic musical communities.

The modern oud has a short neck, its pegbox is thrown back at a less acute angle and it usually has 3 soundholes and no frets.

The name literally means 'bent twig', or flexible piece of wood. According to some oral histories, the oud is thought to have been created by a descendent of the biblical figure Cain. Likely the oud originated in Persia, but it has gained popularity among musicians across the Middle East, North America and southern Europe, especially Iberia.

Generally, there are two main types of instruments:Turkish ouds, usually crafted in Istanbul, and made from a very light wood which produces a bright tone; and Arabic ouds, typically made in Cairo and Damascus. The latter instruments are larger and heavier and have a deeper tone color.

The oud is held almost as a guitar, but the face of the instrument should be held at right angles to the ground (not visible to the player). Generally, players are seated on the ground cross-legged.

The large, vaulted soundbox of the oud is usually pear shaped, and is constructed from strips of light, flexible wood which are attached to a relatively short neck. This neck is visibly different from the long-necked European lutes which the oud inspired. There are often three rounded soundholes in the body, a design inspired by Moroccan lotus flowers. These sound holes are often beautifully decorated with inlaid materials or elaborate carvings.

The gut or silk strings can plucked or strummed with a quill plectrum. Fingering styles for the left and right hand are often highly virtuousic and vary according to the different traditions or teachers training new musicians.