Melodies of Praise (Inshaad/Singing)
This Inshad class course nurtures a love for praising Allah and His Messenger ﷺ through the beauty of voice and melody.
Girls will develop their vocal technique, memorization skills, and understanding of traditional Islamic Inshad through focused practice within Maqam Nahawand.
Throughout the course, the girls will refine their tone, rhythm, breath control, and melodic consistency while memorizing five nasheeds composed within the same maqam.
By the end of the course, students will be able to recognize Maqam Nahawand, maintain its melodic character, and confidently transition from one nasheed to another, creating a beautifully connected shawṭ (medley) InshaAllah.
Course Outline – Maqam Al-Nahawand
Lesson 1
- Introductions between students and instructor
- Foundational theory of maqamat
- Introduction to Maqam Al-Nahawand
- What is a waslah?
- Singing posture, breathing techniques, and vocal exercises
Lesson 2
- Review of the Nahawand scale
- Intoning Maqam Al-Nahawand
- Learn the first song
- Voice projection techniques
Lesson 3
- Practice of the Nahawand scale and intone
- Review of the first song
- Introduction to the second song
- How to transition between songs within a waslah/shawt
Lesson 4
- Practice of the Nahawand scale and intone
- Review of the first and second songs
- Introduction to the third song
- Momentum building and pacing throughout a waslah/shawt
Lesson 5
- Mid-course progress review
- Practice of the Nahawand scale and intone
- Review of previously learned songs
- Introduction to the fourth song
- Introduction to tawzīʿ (solo sections) and kurād (choral responses)
Lesson 6
- Practice of the Nahawand scale and intone
- Complete the waslah/shawt with the final song
- Techniques for concluding a waslah/shawt
- What is qarar and jawab?
Lesson 7
- Practice of the entire waslah/shawt
- Group singing cues, signs, and communication for cohesive performance
- How to sing with a duff
Lesson 8
- Practice of the Nahawand scale and intone
- Full practice of the waslah/shawt
- Refinement and polishing
- Address remaining questions
Teacher: Ustadha Umm Kulthum Carter
Time: Tuesdays 6:30 pm GMT/UTC, 9:30 pm CST
Start date: September 1st, 2026
Class duration: 45 mins (8 classes)