WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SHOFAR AND THE CHATSOTSERAH

The following searches have been done from the King James Version because of its popularity and for simplicity; however the name of God has been corrected to Elohiym and LORD to Yahuah. The casual use of trumpet has been corrected to shofar as it should have been.

The Shofar below is a Kudu Shofar, & started out at 43 ½ inches & finished out at 38 ½ inches, as properly measured around the hairline of the curve of the spine. The opening is 2 ¾ inches by 3 ¼ inches, with a circumference of 9 ¼ inches. This Shofar plays at least two main notes of F 3^rd Octave & D 3^rd Octave.

After Before

(Exodus 19:16) And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the shofar7782 exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

(Exodus 19:19) And when the voice of the shofar7782 sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and Elohiym answered him by a voice.

(Exodus 20:18) And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the shofar7782, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

(Leviticus 25:9) Then shalt thou cause the shofar7782 of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the shofar7782 sound throughout all your land.

(Joshua 6:4) And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven shofars7782 of rams horns3104: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests3548 shall blow8628 with the shofars7782.

(Joshua 6:5) And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long4900 blast with the rams3104 horn7161, and when ye hear the sound of the shofar7782, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

(Joshua 6:6) And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests3548 bear5375 seven shofars7782 of rams horns3104 before the ark of Yahuah.

(Joshua 6:8) And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests3548 bearing5375 the seven shofars7782 of rams horns3104 passed on before Yahuah, and blew8628 with the shofars7782: and the ark of the covenant of Yahuah followed them.

This is a male Eland Shofar & started at 22 inches & finished out at 19 inches, as properly measured straight. The opening is 2 ½ inches by 3 ¼ inches, with a circumference of 9 ¾ inches. The Shofar plays at least two main notes of E flat 3rd Octave & F 3rd Octave.

Before After

(Joshua 6:9) And the armed men went before the priests3548 that blew8628, with the shofars7782, and the rearward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing8628 with the shofars7782.

(Joshua 6:13) And seven priests bearing seven shofars7782 of rams horns3104 before the ark of Yahuah went on continually, and blew8628 with the shofars7782: and the armed men went before them; but the rearward came after the ark of Yahuah, the priests going on, and blowing8628 with the shofars7782.

(Joshua 6:16) And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests3548 blew8628 with the shofars7782, Joshua said unto the people, Shout7321; for Yahuah hath given you the city.

(Joshua 6:20) So the people shouted7321 when the priests blew8628 with the shofars7782: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound6963 of the shofar7782, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

(Judges 3:27) And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew8628 a shofar7782 in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.

This is a female Gemsbok Shofar, & started at 29 inches & finished out at 23 1/2 inches, as properly measured along the slight curve. The circumference of the opening is 6 ¾ inches. The Shofar plays at least two main notes of B 3^rd Octave & G 3^rd Octave.

Before After

(Judges 6:34) But the Ruwach of Yahuah came upon Gideon, and he blew8628 a shofar7782; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

(Judges 7:8) So the people took victuals in their hand, and their shofars7782: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.

(Judges 7:16) And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a shofar7782 in every mans hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.

(Judges 7:18) When I blow8628 with a shofar7782, I and all that are with me, then blow8628 ye the shofars7782 also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of Yahuah, and of Gideon.

(Judges 7:19) So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew8628 the shofars7782, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.

(Judges 7:20) And the three companies blew8628 the shofars7782, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the shofars7782 in their right hands to blow8628 withal : and they cried, The sword of Yahuah, and of Gideon.

(Judges 7:22) And the three hundred blew the shofars7782, and Yahuah set every mans sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

This is an Aoudad better known as a Barbary Sheep.Shofar & started it out at 27 inches as properly measured around the curve of the back spine. The opening is 4 ¼ inches by 4 inches, with a circumference of 13 3/8^thsinches.

Before

(1 Samuel 13:3) And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it . And Saul blew8628 the shofar7782 throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

(2 Samuel 2:28) So Joab blew8628 a shofar7782, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.

(2 Samuel 6:15) So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Yahuah with shouting, and with the sound6963 of the shofar7782.

(2 Samuel 15:10) But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound6963 of the shofar7782, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

(2 Samuel 18:16) And Joab blew8628 the shofar7782, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

This is the same Aoudad Sheep finished out at 23 inches as properly measured around the curve of the back spine. This Shofar plays at least two main notes of C sharp 3^rd Octave & E 3^rd Octave.

After

(2 Samuel 20:1) And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew8628 a shofar7782, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

(2 Samuel 20:22) Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew8628 a shofar7782, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.

(1 Kings 1:34) And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow8628 ye with the shofar7782, and say, Elohiym save king Solomon.

(1 Kings 1:39) And Zadok the priest took an horn7161 of oil8081 out of the tabernacle168, and anointed Solomon. And they blew8628 the shofar7782; and all the people said, Elohiym save king Solomon.

(1 Kings 1:41) And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound6963 of the shofar7782, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?

(2 Kings 9:13) Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew8628 with shofars7782, saying, Jehu is king.

This is a Big Horn Sheep Shofar & it started out at 29 inches as properly measured around the curve of the back spine. The opening is 5 inches by four inches with a circumference of 14 ½ inches.

Before

(1 Chronicles 15:28) Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahuah with shouting, and with sound6963 of the shofar7782, and with trumpets2689, and with cymbals4700, making a noise with psalteries5035 and harps3658.

(2 Chronicles 15:14) And they sware unto Yahuah with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets2689, and with shofars7782.

(Nehemiah 4:18) For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded8628 the shofar7782 was by me.

(Nehemiah 4:20) In what place therefore ye hear the sound6963 of the shofar7782, resort ye thither unto us: our Elohiym shall fight for us.

(Job 39:24) He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound6963 of the shofar7782.

(Job 39:25) He saith among the shofars7782, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

This is the same Big Horn Sheep Shofar finished out at 20 ¼ inches, viewed from the left side.

After_left side

(Psalms 47:5) Elohiym is gone up with a shout, Yahuah with the sound6963 of a shofar7782.

(Psalms 81:3) Blow up the shofar7782 in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

(Psalms 98:6) With trumpets2689 and sound6963 of shofar7782 make a joyful noise before Yahuah, the King.

(Psalms 150:3) Praise him with the sound of the shofar7782: praise him with the psaltery5035 and harp3658.

(Isaiah 18:3) All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth8628 a shofar7782, hear ye.

(Isaiah 27:13) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Great1419 Shofar7782 shall be blown8628, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship Yahuah in the kodesh mount at Jerusalem.

This is the same Big Horn Sheep Shofar as viewed from the right side. The two main notes for this Shofar are B flat 3^rd Octave & F sharp 3^rd Octave.

After_right Side

(Isaiah 58:1) Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a shofar7782, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

(Jeremiah 4:5) Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow8628 ye the shofar7782 in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.

(Jeremiah 4:19) My bowels, my bowels! I am pained, at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound6963 of the shofar7782, the alarm of war.

(Jeremiah 4:21) How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound6963 of the shofar7782?

(Jeremiah 6:1) O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow8628 the shofar7782 in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.

(Jeremiah 6:17) Also I set watchmen over you, saying , Hearken to the sound6963 of the shofar7782. But they said, We will not hearken.

(Jeremiah 42:14) Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound6963 of the shofar7782, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:

(Jeremiah 51:27) Set ye up a standard in the land, blow8628 the shofar7782 among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.

(Ezekiel 33:3) If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blows8628 the shofar7782, and warns the people;

(Ezekiel 33:4) Then whosoever heareth the sound6963 of the shofar7782, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

(Ezekiel 33:5) He heard the sound6963 of the shofar7782, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

(Ezekiel 33:6) But if the watchman see the sword come, and blows8628 not the shofar7782, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchmans hand.

(Hosea 5:8) Blow8628 ye the shofar7782 in Gibeah, and the shofar7782 in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.

Hosea 8:1) Set the shofar7782 to thy mouth2441. He shall come as an eagle against the house of Yahuah, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

(Joel 2:1) Blow8628 ye the shofar7782 in Zion6726, and sound an alarm7321 in my kodesh mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Yahuah cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

(Joel 2:15) Blow8628 the shofar7782 in Zion6726, sanctify6942 a fast6685, call a solemn assembly:

(Amos 2:2) But I will send a fire upon Moab, and it shall devour the palaces of Kerioth: and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound6963 of the shofar7782:

(Amos 3:6) Shall a shofar7782 be blown8628 in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and Yahuah hath not done it?

(Zephaniah 1:16) A day of the shofar7782 and alarm8643 against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.

(Zechariah 9:14) And Yahuah shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and Yahuah Elohiym shall blow8628 the shofar7782, and shall with whirlwinds of the south.

(Leviticus 23:24) Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing8643 of trumpets (chatsotserah, and the shofar), an holy convocation.

(Numbers 29:1) And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing8643 the trumpets (chatsotserah, and the shofar) unto you.

(Joshua 6:6) And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests3548 bear seven shofars7782 of rams horns3104 before the ark of Yahuah.

(Joshua 6:8) And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven shofars7782 of rams horns3104 passed on before the Yahuah, and blew8628 with the shofars7782: and the ark of the covenant of Yahuah followed them.

(Joshua 6:9) And the armed men went before the priests3548 that blew8628, with the shofars7782, and the rearward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing8628 with the shofars7782. rearward:

(Joshua 6:13) And seven priests bearing seven shofars7782 of rams horns3104 before the ark of Yahuah went on continually, and blew8628 with the shofars7782: and the armed men went before them; but the rearward came after the ark of the Yahuah, the priests going on, and blowing8628 with the shofars7782.

(Joshua 6:16) And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew8628 with the shofars7782, Joshua said unto the people1, Shout7321; for Yahuah hath given you the city.

(Joshua 6:20) So the people shouted7321 when the priests blew8628 with the shofars7782: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the shofar7782, and the people shouted7321 with a great1419 shout8643, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

(Judges 7:16) And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a shofar7782 in every mans hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.

(Judges 7:18) When I blow with a shofar7782, I and all that are with me, then blow8628 ye the shofars7782 also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the Yahuah, and of Gideon.

(2 Kings 9:13) Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put7 it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew8628 with shofars7782, saying, Jehu is king.

(1 Chronicles 15:28) Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahuah with shouting, and with sound of the shofar7782, and with trumpets2689, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.

(2 Chronicles 15:14) And they sware unto Yahuah with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets2689, and with shofars7782.

(Job 39:25) He saith among the shofars7782, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

(Psalms 98:6) With trumpets2689 and sound6963 of shofar7782 make a joyful noise7321 before Yahuah, the King.

(Revelation 8:2) And I saw the seven angels which stood before Elohiym; to them were given seven trumpets4536.

(Revelation 8:6) And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets4536 prepared themselves to sound.

(Joshua 6:4) And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven shofars7782 of rams horns3104: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow8628 with the shofars7782.

(Joshua 6:5) And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long4900 blast with the rams3104 horn7161, and when ye hear the sound6963 of the shofar7782, all the people shall shout with a great1 shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

(Joshua 6:6) And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven shofars7782 of rams horns3104 before the ark of Yahuah.

(Joshua 6:8) And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven shofars7782 of rams horns3104 passed on before Yahuah, and blew with the shofars7782: and the ark of the covenant of Yahuah followed them.

(Joshua 6:13) And seven priests bearing seven shofars7782 of rams horns3104 before the ark of Yahuah went on continually, and blew with the shofars7782: and the armed men went before them; but the rearward came after the ark of Yahuah, the priests going on, and blowing8628 with the shofars7782.

(Exodus 19:13) There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet3104 soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

(1 Chronicles 15:28) Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahuah with shouting, and with sound of the shofar7782, and with trumpets (chatsotserah)2689, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.

(Psalms 98:6) With trumpets(chatsotserah)2689 and sound of shofar7782 make a joyful noise before Yahuah, the King.

(Psalms 150:3) Praise him with the sound8629 of the shofar7782: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

(Hosea 5:8) Blow8628 ye the shofar7782 in Gibeah, and the trumpets(chatsotserah)2689 in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.

(Joel 2:1) Blow8628 ye the shofar7782 in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Yahuah cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

(2 Chronicles 15:14) And they sware unto Yahuah with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets(chatsotserah)2689, and with shofars7782.

(Numbers 10:2) Make thee two chatsotserah2689 of silver3701; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.

(Numbers 10:8) And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow8628 with the chatsotserah2689; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.

This is a Chatsotserah, it is brass plated with silver. The real thing is silver all out of one piece and can be obtained for a price.

(Numbers 10:9) And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm7321 with the chatsotserah2689; and ye shall be remembered before Yahuah your Elohiym, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

(Numbers 10:10) Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow8628 with the chatsotserah2689 over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your Elohiym: I am Yahuah your Elohiym.

(Numbers 31:6) And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the chatsotserah2689 to blow8643 in his hand.

(2 Kings 11:14) And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was , and the princes and the trumpeters2689 by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew8628 with chatsotserah2689: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.

(2 Kings 12:13) Howbeit there were not made for the house of the Yahuah bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, chatsotserah2689, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of Yahuah:

(1 Chronicles 13:8) And David and all Israel played before Elohiym with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with chatsotserah2689.

(1 Chronicles 15:24) And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow2690, with the chatsotserah2689 before the ark of Elohiym: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

(1 Chronicles 15:28) Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahuah with shouting8643, and with sound6963 of the shofar7782, and with chatsotserah2689, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.

(1 Chronicles 16:6) Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with chatsotserah2689 continually before the ark of the covenant of Elohiym.

(1 Chronicles 16:42) And with them Heman and Jeduthun with chatsotserah2689 and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of Elohiym. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.

(2 Chronicles 5:12) Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests3548 sounding2690 with chatsotserah2689:)

(2 Chronicles 5:13) It came even to pass, as the trumpeters2690, and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking Yahuah; and when they lifted up their voice with the chatsotserah2689 and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised Yahuah, saying , For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever5 that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of Yahuah;

(2 Chronicles 13:12) And, behold, Elohiym himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding8643 chatsotserah2689 to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against Yahuah Elohiym of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.

(2 Chronicles 13:14) And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto Yahuah, and the priests3548 sounded2690, with the chatsotserah2689.

(2 Chronicles 15:14) And they sware unto Yahuah with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with chatsotserah2689, and with shofars7782.

(2 Chronicles 20:28) And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and chatsotserah2689 unto the house of Yahuah.

(2 Chronicles 23:13) And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the chatsotserah2689 by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with chatsotserah2689, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes,and said, Treason, Treason.

(2 Chronicles 29:26) And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests3548 with the chatsotserah2689.

(2 Chronicles 29:27) And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of Yahuah began also with the chatsotserah2689, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.

(2 Chronicles 29:28) And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters2689 sounded2690,: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.

(Ezra 3:10) And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of Yahuah, they set the priests in their apparel with chatsotserah2689, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Yahuah, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.

(Nehemiah 12:35) And certain of the priests sons with chatsotserah2689; namely , Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:

(Nehemiah 12:41) And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with chatsotserah2689;

(Psalms 98:6) With chatsotserah2689 and sound6963 of shofar7782 make a joyful noise7321 before Yahuah, the King. (Hosea 5:8) Blow8628 ye the shofar7782 in Gibeah, and the chatsotserah2689 in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.

The first thing is called SETUP which is: mouthpiece placement, lip alignment, teeth opening, and horn angle. The aim of the SETUP is to make an airstream go into the CENTER of the mouthpiece opening to play as many notes as possible with the least amount of obstruction.

1) Place mouthpiece rim on a high spot, like a high spot around a tooth (usually a canine (eye tooth)). Placing the mouthpiece at a high spot will allow the lips to vibrate at higher frequencies, if you have no high spot you will have trouble with the high notes. Most shofar players play to either just left or right of center of the mouth. There are some who play directly from the center of the mouth. There are still other player who can play the same note at any point on the mouth.

2) Place the mouthpiece vertically so that the aperture is close to the middle, this will vary with lip size. Try to get the airstream to go into the center of the mouthpiece opening and not any kind of

2) Players with an overbite must push the jaw forward, this will free the lower lip which is the strongest by nature. The natural funnel of the mouth is downwards, try blowing into you hand practicing your embouchure (lip formation) by blowing into your hand until you find the spot of jaw thrust that is required to get a straight blow of air. Now practice the straight blow but buzz the lips as you would on the mouthpiece, you are now almost home free.

3) The instrument should be pointing slightly upwards. By changing the angle of upward elevation you can also vary pitch.

4) Lip closure pressure also will change pitch and timbre, and change fortissimo.

1) Play with an open jaw. Look in the mirror and keep the jaw and lower lip still and slightly raise the upper lip.

2) If the jaw opening is less than a inch the airstream will be blocked by the teeth. You should try around of one inch opening to get the stream of air through the middle of the teeth.

3) If you have a short lower lip and a long upper lip you may have to bunch the chin.

4) Do not cram the mouthpiece into your mouth. A good player is required to do is hold the shofar in the hand, and rest it there and then do not move the instrument by the placement of the lips to play it.

1) Players with a large overbite may have to move the jaw so far forward that the Shofar is now slightly downward.

2) Pivot of the horn or the head will change the air stream to get different registers or in our case notes. Most players with an overbite pivot downward when descending, the opposite is true with an underbite.

There are four kinds of distinct sounds that a Shofar player should know and be able to sound, these can also be done on the Chatsotserah.

TEKIAH - One long straight unbroken blast of about 3 seconds; plural is Tekiot

SHEVARIM - Three medium wailing sounds (broken blasts); broken into 3 one second blasts

TEKIAH GEDOLAH - 3 Tekiah each of 3 seconds or 9 seconds; others say a long blast held as long as possible, others say 6 seconds.

Last but not least according to the Rabbis the minimum length permissable for any shofar was three hand breadths.

Steaming or boiling is not permissible, as is done by many modern makers to straighten a horn or shape its twist. This stresses the horn and can cause it to crack. So if a Gemsbok horn is too straight or a Rams horn is twisted or straightened, it is stressed. BE CAREFUL who you buy from!

Shofars are made from the “ayir” or Ram species of animal, but not from cattle or oxen, which includes, Sheep Rams, Gazelles, and Antelope. These animals typically are Aoudad (Barberry Sheep), Big Horn Sheep, Domestic Sheep Ram, Eland, Gemsbok (pronounced Hemsbuk), Grant’s Gazelle, Impala, Kudu, Mouflon, Nyala, Sable, Waterbuck, etc. The most common are Domestic Ram, Eland, Gemsbok, Kudu.

EZ-@-Blow Mouthpiece (25.00 extra at the dealers); a custom mouthpiece is 50.00 extra at most dealers, our charge is 35.00. Internal and external coating ($30.00 extra at the dealers), both of these items are standard no extra cost on our Shofars.

Please also keep in mind that you get what you pay for, a cheap price is generally not a good playable shofar. A cheap horn is not usually cut right at the mouthpiece, has not been disinfected and internally coated with a hardening impregnated oil disinfectant that keeps away all further bacterial growth. A cheap horn has not been externally coated either, for the most part. My shofars are nearly odorless because they are treated right. No horn is entirely odorless, these were from live animals at one time.

All of my shofars have been disinfected and coated with an antibacterial hardening oil. You have you choice of a clear outer coat, which I recommend, or a natural lightly disinfectant coated natural coat style. If you wish, for custom charges I can engrave some horns or paint them.

CHATSOTSERAH are about 47 inches long and are silver coated brass. If you want sterling silver please e-mail for a quote. I can sometimes get the Sterling Silver ones from Israel.

MATCHED PAIR SHOFARS from the same animal are also available, please inquire for price, as these are very rare.

We may have STANDS and CASES available. Please inquire. I do recommend “Cedar of Lebanon”, Eastern or Western Cedar, as these keep the moths off your Shofar, and believe me if left out without a clear coat or a bag or a Cedar stand the moths or beetles will eat your horn. The other options such as for its beauty is any of several species of rosewood, or sandalwood for its fragrance.