The Shofar is the traditional horn of the Jewish synagogue. It has played an important part in the Jewish religion since biblical times and is still heard today. Shofars are made according to a strict ritual : a ram's horn is heated until soft, and the narrow end straightened to form a body with an upturned bell.
Family |
Brasses |
Pitch range |
Limited notes, or harmonics, within a one octave range. |
Material |
Ram's horn. |
Size |
Variable: this example is 12 in (32 cm) long. |
Origins |
The shofar is associated with the Jewish religion. Known since biblical times, it is heard particularly on Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). |
Classification |
Aerophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a column of air. |
And also... |
According to the Bible, the shofar was used to bring down the walls when Joshua fought the battle of Jericho. |