The oldest known of the Oud comes from ancient Mesopotamia (Iraq) during the Acadian period 2359-2159, recorded on cylindrical seals. They are now in the British Museum in London. Also comes from Egypt during the18th Family period 1500 B.C. (1390-1580)
Oud literally means “wood” The explanation for this name is simple: relatively late-not until the end of the sixth century-the Arabs of the Hijaz adopted the wooden-faced lute from the city of Hirah, in Iraq, in place of the old skin-faced instrument known in pre-Islamic times by the names “mizhar” and used in different sizes. In pre-Islamic times, Hirah was considered the centre for literature as well as, of course, for music. Here is where is the famous Persian King Bahram Ghur (430-438) received his education. It is possible that the Oud was influenced by the four strings Persian Lute “bar-bat” it is also feasible, however, that the term bar-bat at that time was merely a synonym for Oud.
In the ninth century, the Arabs philosopher “Al-Kandi ” further developed the lute form a four- stringed instrument to a five-stringed instrument and the great singer and Oud player “Ziryab” executed this practically. Up until the fifteenth century, the Arabs differentiated between the Oud “qadim” the old Oud that was strung with four strings tuned in fourths, and the Oud “kamil”, the “complete” Oud that had five strings.

The additional fifth string, inserted by plucking the string of the Oud with wooded plectrum customary up until then , Zryab began to use the quill of an eagle feather, as is still common throughout the Arabian world today, be that as it may, those at the beginning stages of learning, nowadays use a feather like plectrum made of plastic.