Apple Using the GarageBand Jam Pack: World Music Instruments - Manual (Page 11)

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Turkish Oud Lute
The oud is a stringed instrument common to Turkish and Arabic civilizations. An
ancient legend claims that the oud was created by one of Adam’s grandsons. However,
modern historians believe that it was invented in Mesopotamia in the second
millennium B.C.
The front of the body is flat, with a central sound hole, while the back is pear-shaped,
creating a resonant chamber to strengthen the sound. The neck is fairly short, and
supports from five to eight sets of strings. Each string except for the lowest is doubled
in unison. The player uses a pick (called the “mizrap” in Turkish), originally made from a
bird’s feather, to pluck the strings. There are four-, five-, and six-course ouds, each with
its own tuning.
Turkish Saz Lute
The saz is descended from earlier long-necked lutes which can be traced back to
Babylon and Sumeria. These instruments, including the kopuz and cogur, played a
historic role in Turkish music. Today, the saz is the most commonly found folk
instrument in Turkey, with distinct regional playing styles and techniques.