A Cantor

Q: What are the origins of a cantor?

A:  The Hebrew word for cantor is hazzan, which is taken from the Aramaic, meaning officer. Originally the hazzan had charge of the premises. Every Shabbat he gave the signal for the community to cease its working when the appropriate time came. He brought the Torah into public places for reading and sometimes led the prayers.

Time, as he was most familiar with the liturgy and music and prayers of the community to go for the sole function of leading services.

The correct term for a leader of prayers is shaliah tzibbur, or emissary of the congregation.  The ancient religious Codes state that person must be experienced, have a pleasant voice, and be agreeable and modest along with learned.

In Ashkenazic custom, the hazzan is a prayer leader.   He chants the first and last words of each section, thus regulating the speed of the service.  In Sephardic liturgy, the hazzan recites almost every word of the entire service alone.  This latter custom arose when prayer books were not usually available.