Here's a breakdown of some common lutes found in Arab music:
* Oud: This is the most popular and well-known lute in Arab music. It has a pear-shaped body, a long neck with frets, and typically has 11 strings (paired in five courses, with one single string).
* Qanun: This is a plucked zither, often called a "Arab harp" or "Arab dulcimer." It has a rectangular frame with strings stretched across it, played with small hammers.
* Buzuq: This is a short-necked lute with a round body and two to four strings. It's often used in folk music and is sometimes confused with the Oud, though it has a higher pitch.
* Tanbour: This is a long-necked lute with a round or oval body and usually three or four strings. It's often found in Persian and Kurdish music.
* Rebab: This is a bowed instrument with a skin-covered resonator, used in a variety of musical traditions in the Arab world and elsewhere. It's often used to play folk music.
When you hear "Arab lute," it's likely someone is referring to the Oud as it's the most common and iconic lute in Arab music.
If you're interested in learning more about any of these instruments, you can find plenty of information online and even videos of people playing them!