Inshad: The Art of Singing Part 5: Singing Solo – Mastering the Tafrid

Ustadh Adel Gazzawi

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ – 13:28

An introductory course to the art of singing Islamic odes, Inshad will give you the chance to sing directly with Ustadh Adel Gazzawi, a trained and experienced Munshid in Jordan, and son of Master Munshid Mohammad ‘Adel Rayhan. Learn the meanings of, memorize, and practice five of the best-known nasheeds in our religious tradition.

At-A-Glance

• One on one experience with a seasoned munshid.
• Learn how to sing 5 solos (each in a different maqam)
• Step-by-step instructions on how to sing within tune and hit the correct notes and master the rhythm
• Practice by repeated listening of different examples by trained munshid
• Master the art of solos to take your inshad to the next level

About the course

In this course, Ustadh Adel Gazzawi continues the perfect introduction to the art of singing. Throughout the term, students will condition their vocals with simple techniques and in doing so, will construct for themselves a solid foundation by which they can continue further along the path of singing. Practicing nasheeds increases the love of the Prophet {Allah bless him and give him peace} in one’s heart and brings the noble seerah to life. Qasidas are also a form of dhikr and they enlighten the heart and soul by the remembrance of Allah and the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace. Every student will not only benefit intellectually and skillfully from this course, but also spiritually, and will Inshallah nurture the love of singing in their hearts for decades to come.

In this fourth part, students will be learning the words, tunes, and ryhthms of the Sufi Mystic and Saint of Allah, Shaikh Abdurrahman Al-Shaghouri. Shaikh Abdurrahman, (Allah be well pleased with him) was a master munshid, poet, and musician. His complitation of poetry has been collected into a famous published work called “الحدائق الندية في النسمات الروحية” which holds nearly 70 different poems. Ustadh Adel has selected 15 of the most well known (and challenging) qasa-id and muwashshahat sung in both mawlids and hadras around the world.

Inshad: Course format

The course runs for seven weeks each term. Classes will be taught weekly.  Students are expected to listen to the recordings and practice on their own each week before the Live Session. The live lesson shall be your chance to practice directly: students shall sing to, and receive instruction from Ustadh ‘Adel.

Each section is limited to 4 students.

• Week 1: Hijaz
• Week 2: Hijaz
• Week 3: Nahawand
• Week 4: Nahawand
• Week 5: ‘Ajam
• Week 6: ‎⁨’Ajam
• Week 7: Saba
• Week 8: Saba
• Week 9: Bayat
• Week 10: Bayat

Weekly Time Commitment

Students are expected to listen to the recordings and practice on their own each week before the Live class.

Suggested readings

The course material shall include the written text and the audio recordings of the nasheeds.