In the musical traditions of Trinidad and Tobago, a twin island republic in the Lesser Antilles, a scratcher is a percussion instrument.
[1][2] 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.
The pattern and density of nail holes can also vary, which can have an effect on the sound of the instrument.
A comb with teeth (sometimes a fan-style afro pick) is scraped along the texture in a set, syncopated rhythm.