Before you book
Short, straight answers to common questions about booking an oud player, a qanun player or a small Arabic ensemble.
Below are common questions about booking an oud or qanun player in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. If yours is not here, message the team on WhatsApp.
For line-ups, see the qanun player, the oud and qanun duo and the takht ensemble. For budgets and logistics, see prices and the planning guide.
Good to know
OudPlayersDubai.com is a booking service for oud players, qanun players and small Arabic ensembles, based in Dubai. Every enquiry made here is handled by our team in Dubai.
Oud and qanun players start from AED 2,000. The final price depends on the season, availability and how you customise the performance.
A fretless, pear shaped string instrument, the ancestor of the European lute. It carries most classical Arabic and Khaleeji music on its own.
A flat, trapezoid shaped plucked zither. It adds bright melodic runs and ornaments, and pairs well with the oud.
Most events book two sets of 30 minutes or three sets of 20 minutes.
Yes. Send your songs and anything to avoid at least a week ahead.
Yes. Ask 7 to 10 days ahead for a female oud player, and earlier in wedding season or Ramadan.
Not for about 60 to 80 guests or a majlis. Bigger rooms need a speaker or a larger line-up.
A formal thobe, a kandura or a tailored black suit, depending on the event.
Yes. Music starts after iftar, typically around 8:30pm, at a lower volume. Book 2 to 3 weeks ahead.
Hotels usually hold one and issue an internal NOC. Public venues need a DET permit. Private villa events usually need none.
3 to 10 days for a standard event, 2 to 4 weeks for Ramadan, National Day and peak wedding months.
Yes, with the same pricing structure as Dubai.
Check your date
Ask it on WhatsApp. The team answers questions about dates, musicians and prices.
