Samir Joubran, 34, the eldest brother of Le Trio Joubran, describes the six-stringed oud in a way that seems to be understood universally: "I call it a pregnant guitar."

"This instrument is the original instrument of all stringed instruments like it. The piano also came from the oud," Joubran said from his home in Paris, where he now lives because it is safer than his native Palestine.

When the three brothers - including Wissam, 25, and Adnan, 23 - tour to play their music, Joubran said he hopes they highlight the tradition of the oud and show that their native Palestine is about more than political strife.

The Joubran family has a long history with musical instruments.

The trio's father is a master luthier who makes ouds, as was their grandfather.

Samir Joubran said his father "tried to teach me how to build this instrument. But it is pure hobby for me. You need special hands."

Brother Wissam has that gift, he said.

"He started making them when he was 10."

Wissam Joubran was later sent to the Stradivarious Institute in Cremona, Italy, where he also learned to make violins.

"My brother is considered their only Arabic student," Joubran said. They now play on instruments made by Wissam.

American audiences have responded well to their instrumental concerts, and he believes it is because of the haunting and unusual sounds of the six-stringed oud.

"It has a beautiful sound. It is very warm and less metallic than a guitar," he said.

The brothers compose together, often with one brother playing a phrase and the others joining in with their own improvisations. The sound is a blend of new and old.

"We do want to make a career out of this instrument," Joubran said. "We want to have the spirit of the classical, but we are thinking of it as the new generation of the music."

by Monica Orosz