I recently bought an Oud from a friend I went to UNSW with, Joseph Tawadros.
I have been diligently reearching scales, modes, oud methods, rhythms etc.
I found the various Maqam and rhythms quite intriguing.
Additionally, we have the Byzantine and the Armenian (Hamparsoom Nota) naming and notation systems. These were originally the way Middle Eastern music was notated before the Western style notation was developed. (Oud Cafe)
In this system, generally as far as naming goes: NI=D; PA=E; VOU=F; GHA=G; DHI=A; KE=B; ZO=C; NI=D
