Oud and qanun players in Dubai start from AED 2,000. The final price depends on the season, availability and how you customise the performance. Larger line-ups with a singer or more musicians are quoted per event. A takht ensemble of 4 to 5 musicians is quoted per event. Abu Dhabi follows the same pricing structure. For an exact figure, send your date, venue and guest count, and you get a written quote.
Usual prices by line-up
| Line-up | Usual sets | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Solo oud player | 2 x 30 or 3 x 20 minutes | from AED 2,000 |
| Oud player and singer | 2 x 30 or 3 x 20 minutes | quoted per event |
| Oud and qanun duo | 2 x 30 to 2 x 45 minutes, or 1 x 90 minutes | from AED 2,000 |
| Oud, qanun and percussion trio | 2 x 30 or 3 x 20 minutes | quoted per event |
| Takht ensemble, 4 to 5 musicians | 2 x 30 or 2 x 40 minutes | quoted per event |
These are starting prices, not fixed prices. The final price depends on the season, availability and how you customise the performance. A qanun player on their own also starts from AED 2,000. See qanun player.
What changes the price
- How many musicians. Each extra musician adds a fee, and often more sound.
- How long they play. The number and length of the sets.
- One event or a residency. Hotels booking a weekly lobby slot are quoted differently from a one-off party.
- Extras. A singer, a qanun, a percussionist or a female vocalist.
- Venue, sound and season. Prices shift a little around Ramadan and in December, when demand is highest.
Extras to plan for
- Sound. Prices assume the venue's sound or a small PA. A full sound system is added to the quote when needed. For an Arabic band in a room of more than 150 guests without house sound, a sound engineer and a basic PA add roughly AED 1,500 to AED 3,000.
- A female vocalist. Adds to the price of an Arabic band line-up.
- Travel. Bookings in Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah or outside the main event area add a travel fee.
Why the cheapest quote can cost you more
The most expensive mistake is booking a solo oud player for a 300 guest dinner without sound. A solo instrument without amplification only carries in a room of roughly 60 to 80 guests or a majlis. Past the first tables, guests hear nothing. For a bigger room, budget for a sound system or a trio from the start. Tell the team your real guest count, so the quote covers what your room needs.
What a quote should include
Before you confirm, check that the quote names:
- the musicians and the instruments
- the number of sets and the total minutes of music
- the dress: a formal thobe, a kandura or a tailored black suit
- travel, and whether you are outside the main event area
- sound equipment, a stage or riser and a sound engineer, which are quoted separately unless listed
A standard quote covers the musicians' fees, instruments, costumes for the occasion and standard travel within Dubai.
Compare like with like
When you compare quotes, compare the same things: the line-up, the number of sets, the minutes of music and the sound. A low price for one musician and one short set will not cover a wedding dinner for 200. The planning guide helps you set the brief first, and the oud and qanun duo and takht ensemble pages explain each line-up.
Ask for a written price
Send the date, the venue, the guest count, the line-up and the hours you want music on WhatsApp or through the quote form. You get a written quote, usually within a working day.
