Yurdal Tokcan – Turkish oud masterclass

This sixth edition of a series of highly successful oud masterclasses continues to focus on advanced oud techniques specific to the style of playing that has been established by master Yurdal Tokcan. We will assess different positions on the neck, the ornamentation that gives Turkish oud its characteristic style, and makam theory. Participants put all of this into context by practicing several instrumental pieces composed by Yurdal Tokcan.

Yurdal Tokcan was born in Ordu in 1966 and is often cited among the foremost oud artists of our day. In 1990, he joined the Istanbul State Ensemble of Turkish Music as a oudist. Tokcan’s style combines traditional oud performance with modern tunes. He also applies this technique on a fretless guitar. Yurdal has produced many instrumental works, combining traditional melodies with technical and polyphonic tunes. In addition to his work with the Istanbul State Ensemble of Turkish Music, Yurdal Tokcan has collaborated on recordings and in concerts in over 40 countries. He has produced two albums of his own compositions, titled Hislenis – Saray (Deep Emotion) and Bende Can (Inner Soul). Since 2005, Yurdal Tokcan has been leading oud master classes at Labyrinth, as well as seminars in Iran and Tunisia.