In the musical traditions of

Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago, officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean, comprising the main islands of Trinidad and Tobago, along with several List of islands of Trinidad and Tobago, smaller i ...

, a twin island republic in the

Lesser Antilles The Lesser Antilles is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea, forming part of the West Indies in Caribbean, Caribbean region of the Americas. They are distinguished from the larger islands of the Greater Antilles to the west. They form an arc w ...

, a scratcher is a percussion instrument. It is a descendant of the guiro, and is played in a similar fashion. It is most commonly found in the rhythm section of a

steelband The steelpan (also known as a pan or steel drum) is a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago from Afro-Trinidadians. Steelpan musicians are called pannists. In 1992, the steelpan was declared Trinidad and Tobago’s national in ...

.{{Cite book , last=Berkley , first=Rebecca , url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Illustrated_Complete_Musical_Instrum/y5dOLjmHqKMC?hl=en&gbpv=0&bsq=%22Scratcher%22%20-wikipedia , title=The Illustrated Complete Musical Instruments Handbook , date=2006 , publisher=Flame Tree , isbn=978-1-84451-520-2 , pages=78 , language=en

Construction

Scratchers are generally made by punching hundreds of nail holes in a sheet of aluminum, creating a texture. The sheet is then rolled into a cylinder shape with the textured side facing out. A handle is then added to the side. Scratchers vary in length in diameter but a common size consists of a length of 30 inches and a diameter of 4 inches. The pattern and density of nail holes can also vary, which can have an effect on the sound of the instrument.

Use

A comb with teeth (sometimes a fan-style

afro pick A comb is a tool consisting of a shaft that holds a row of teeth for pulling through the hair to clean, untangle, or style it. Combs have been used since prehistoric times, having been discovered in very refined forms from settlements dating ba ...

) is scraped along the texture in a set, syncopated rhythm. This pattern is meant to interlock with those of the other instruments of the rhythm section. it is also used in the engine room section in a steel band.in addition, it is used in Parang.

References

Central American and Caribbean percussion instruments Trinidad and Tobago musical instruments