JEDDAH, 15 August 2007 — The Jeddah branch of the Society of Arts and Culture is currently holding a monthlong course in basic music and has assigned three instructors for male students.

Ali Daaboush from the society said that the course last year helped many music lovers to play correctly and that this year’s course aims to give the young musicians the needed foundation on musical notes.

There are no institutes teaching music in the Kingdom and music is not a subject taught at schools or colleges.

“We want to encourage youngsters, so the fee is only SR300,” said Daaboush. He added that at the beginning of the course the teaching is more theory and, as students grasp how to play according to musical notes, they would be able to play their favorite instrument. Twice a week, for the past three weeks, young male music lovers have been gathering in a small air-conditioned tent located in the backyard of the society’s modest building.

Currently there are no facilities for women. However, Daaboush said the newly assigned manager of the Jeddah branch is planning to open a women’s section as soon as their budget is increased. “Then we will certainly provide musical courses for interested women but that has to be done separately,” he said.

The society has asked Essam Ayyad, an Egyptian Base Fidel musician who works at the Saudi Radio and TV musical band, to coach the students.

Ayyad, who has spent five years in the Kingdom, said that Saudis interested in learning music ask for private tutors and that this is the first time he is teaching music in the Kingdom. “The students at the society are very much eager to start the practical rehearsal after learning the theory and rules. I have also found quite a few talented students here,” said Ayyad.

He added that he hears a lot about the increasing desire to learn music among Saudis of both sexes. The demand is mainly to learn the Spanish guitar and oud. “I really wish there was a music institute in the Kingdom. It’s a real shame that such bright talent is being lost,” he said.

People interested in teaching or learning music in Jeddah have invented ways to network with one another, said music fan Ali Salem, 30. “Once your name is known in the music scene you will start receiving calls from people asking for private lessons,” he said, adding that 10 years back the tutors were mainly Filipinos but now they are of various nationalities, including Saudis. “I lived some time abroad and learned music by myself. Later I started tutoring Saudis,” said Salem.

Girls have also asked him for lessons, but he has been unable to cater to them. “I could not ask them to come over to my apartment, of course. If there was a decent public place I would have been more than happy to teach them,” he said.

Even though music lessons cost up to SR200 an hour, there is a massive demand and the best place to ask about tutors is at music stores. “They can guide you if you don’t know anyone. A lot of girls get private tutoring from there,” Salem said.

Ayaman Al-Ghamdi, a 25-year-old Saudi rock musician from the band “Wasted Land,” which is currently recording its first album, said he learned music by having lessons on playing guitar for two months.