The purpose of this book & its accompanying CD is to give the student not only a method from which to learn the oud but also an overview of the history folklore & origin of this ancient stringed instrument. This book teaches the fundamentals of st andard Western music notation in the context of oud playing & serves as an introduction for absolute beginners as well as tho se experienced on another instrument. The CD with this book contains 27 tracks of audio for demonstration & playalong.