"Harmony of Hearts" invites women on a unique and transformative journey into the world of Islamic daff and inshad, offering a specially crafted five-week beginners' course focused on learning to play the daff to accompany spiritual Islamic poetry. This empowering class is designed for participants with little to no daff experience, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for women eager to explore the art of rhythmic expression.

Ustadha Hana Khawaja is a Philosophy graduate and PGCE qualified teacher who ventured into the more traditional sciences of Islamic learning, including the study of Tajweed. Being a student of the arts, she has always had a natural inclination toward rhythm and poetry and likewise found herself enraptured in the beauty of Qasa'id.

She has since learnt with various teachers, including the Desert Echo and Pearls of Islam Daff Schools. Ustadha Hana performs at events such as Heartbeat and Ladies of Light, as well as maintaining monthly gatherings at Rumi's Cave in London as part of the Rumi's Qasidah Collective. She currently lives in High Wycombe, where she teaches Islamic studies at CIL Youth and has also jointly established regular mother and child Qasidah burdah gatherings.

Saturday 4th May FREE Taster Session (11am - Midday)
Session 1 11th May
Session 2 18th May
Session 3 25th May
Session 4 1st June
Session 5 8th June

 

Course Overview:

Introduction to the Daff: A brief overview of the daff in Islamic history, and its role in spiritual practices.

Basic Techniques: Learn the fundamental techniques of playing the daff, including hand positioning, striking techniques, and rhythm exploration.

Spiritual Poetry: Explore the rich tapestry of Islamic spiritual poetry and discover how the daff complements and enhances the poetic experience.

Rhythmic Patterns: Practise various rhythmic patterns and understand their application in different genres of Islamic spiritual poetry.

Performance and Expression: Build confidence in expressing spirituality through daff playing, culminating in a final session where participants showcase their newfound abilities.

 

Learning Objectives:

  1. Consolidate knowledge from Module 1.
  2. Learn new songs and more complex beats.
  3. Integrating the nondominant hand.
  4. Acquire bridging and transitioning techniques between verse and chorus.
  5. Develop the skill of amalgamating different beats within a single song.

Week by Week Topics:

Week 1:

  • Consolidation of Module 1 beats. 
  • Reviewing foundational rhythms and techniques.

Week 2:

  • Introducing the nondominant hand: laff kamil
  • Practice sessions focusing on intricate patterns and rhythms.

Week 3:

  • Applying bridging techniques
  • Analysing songs previously covered to understand transitioning between verse and chorus (Part 1).

Week 4:

  • Exploration of baladi kamil beat
  • Delving into its nuances and variations compared to previous beats.

Week 5:

  • Revision session covering all topics.
  • Final exam assessing comprehension and application of learned skills.

Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on practice, receive personalised feedback, and have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge throughout. By the end of the 5 weeks, participants will have developed a deeper understanding of daff and nasheed rhythms and enhanced their musical proficiency.

 

MODULE 1: Saturdays 11:30am - 1pm | 5 week course

MODULE 2: Saturdays 9:30am - 11am | 5 week course

VENUE: Green Street, Youthspace, Desborough Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2LY

COURSE FEE: £50 for the course

  • What is the age limit for this class?

    These class are for ladies age 16+

  • Does the course require any prior experience?

    This course is for beginners with little to no experience.

  • Will a daff be provided?

    You can rent a drum from us for the duration of the course for an additional £10, subject to availability. Alternatively, you will need to buy a daff for the course. Attendees can use tubs or tins in the absence of a daff while they look to source their own.

  • Where can I buy a daff?

    We do not supply daffs, but you can acquire one from Mystic Beats or various shops such as Amazon.

  • Will any course material be provided?

    Handouts will be provided to each student.

  • What is the size of the class?

    Between 10-12 students.

  • How long does the course run for?

    5 week block sessions.

    Dates listed above.

  • The places for the course have run out, are you planning running this again in future?

    Yes, inshAllah, please email to register your interest.

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