I am a native Lebanese speaker who grew up in Lebanon, where I studied Arabic as my main language alongside other subjects taught in Arabic. Arabic is not just one language, there is Fusha, the formal Arabic used across all Arabic-speaking countries in news, writing, and official communication. In addition, each country has its own dialect with unique pronunciation. Among them, the Lebanese dialect is considered one of the easiest and most widely understood across the Arab world. Growing up, I was exposed daily to Arabic news and literature, which strengthened my understanding of Fusha and how to use it correctly. My classes focus on Fusha, helping you learn how to read and write properly. However, if you are interested in learning the Lebanese dialect, we can work on that too, after you have mastered the basics of reading and writing, as this will make learning the dialect much easier. I studied oriental singing for eight years at the Lebanese National Conservatory, where I also took a three-year course in Tajwid. Tajwid is the set of rules for proper pronunciation and articulation of Arabic letters, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and correct phonetics. This course taught me how to use Arabic pronunciation professionally in singing, which deepened my understanding of the language and its sounds. Because of this background, I can also help students who want to learn oriental singing but struggle with the language. If your goal is to sing correctly in Arabic without spending years mastering the entire language first, I can guide you in learning just what is necessary for proper pronunciation in singing. I use carefully selected materials from different books to provide structured and coherent lessons. We start with learning the Arabic letters, including their different forms depending on their position in a word (beginning, middle, or end). Once you recognize and memorize them, we will work on pronunciation to refine your reading skills. For more advanced learners, we will focus on diacritical marks (short vowels), which are essential for proper pronunciation. The time needed to read and write advanced Arabic varies between 6 months to 1 year, depending on your commitment and practice. Taking lessons twice a week, one hour each, is sufficient to learn a new lesson and practice it throughout the week before moving on to the next. Speaking and understanding Arabic, however, takes longer, as mastering any language requires dedication. If you are interested in speaking Arabic, we will first focus on Fusha reading and writing, and with time and practice, you will gradually build the ability to understand and speak more naturally. For those interested in learning how to read the Quran, my teaching will help you reach a level where you can read it independently. However, I do not teach Quranic studies, as it requires years of in-depth learning and interpretation. Even native Arabic speakers and Muslims often struggle to fully understand its meanings due to its complex structure. If you have any questions before booking, feel free to contact me on Apprentus, and I will be happy to assist you. Good luck on your journey to learning my language!

In our Oud class, I will guide you through everything from basic to advanced techniques. We will cover playing for all levels, correct left-hand use, synchronizing with the right hand, handling the pick, tuning the Oud, and effectively using a tuner and metronome. In the remaining time, we will dive into reading musical notes, starting with basic Solfege and progressing to advanced and oriental Solfege, including dictation exercises. This comprehensive approach ensures a well-rounded musical journey My recommendation for learning the Oud is to begin by studying musical notes and notation before delving into songs. While some students prefer to jump straight into playing songs, understanding the fundamentals of music notation accelerates progress in the long run. Dedication and hard work can yield significant progress within a year, enabling you to play simple tunes. Feel free to leave me a message, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.