Notes on oud

How to choose it, how to burn it, and how to tell what you are paying for.

1 August 2026

How to tell real dehn al oud from cut oil

Cut oil is the most common way to lose money on oud. Most of the checks take seconds and cost nothing.

28 July 2026

Most people put too much on the coal and burn it too hot. Here is how it is done in a Riyadh home.

24 July 2026

Price alone tells you nothing. Look at the grain, watch how it burns, and be careful of anything that smells sweet straight out of the bag.

20 July 2026

One drop is the whole rule. Here is where to put it, when to put it, and why you should never rub it in.