Below, we outline the common instruments used in Bahamian traditional music, and what role they play. The most popular music styles in the Bahamas are Rake and Scrape, Goombay & Junkanoo. Bahamian music is very unique and fun to play!

Core traditional instruments:
Goatskin / Goombay Drum: A drum made by stretching goatskin (or similar skin) over a wooden frame or barrel. It provides the rhythmic foundation, especially in Goombay and Rake-and-Scrape.

Saw (Carpenter’s Handsaw): Particularly in Rake-and-Scrape, a common carpenter’s saw is bent and then scraped or “raked” with a metal object (like a screwdriver or file) to produce a distinctive shimmering/metallic sound.

Accordion or Concertina: Often used in Rake-and-Scrape bands to provide melodic/harmonic content.

Guitar / Rhythm Guitar: Used in many modern and traditional bands, providing harmonic/rhythmic support.

Percussion & Shakers: Maracas, cowbells, washboards & triangles etc all build texture and rhythmic accents.

Other instruments: Sometimes horns, keyboards, electric bass/guitar, especially in more modern fusion forms.

Special / unique features
The saw-scrape instrument is quite unique and not common in many other genres; its use gives Rake-and-Scrape a distinct timbre.

The goatskin drum ties directly to the African heritage of the Bahamas.

For the saw instrument: The player bends the saw blade (to change pitch and timbre) while scraping. So technique and physical deformation of the instrument are part of its “sound”.

Goatskin drums: Being hand-made and locally made, the tension of the skin, the size of the drum, and how tightly the skin is stretched will affect pitch/tone. It’s more artisanal rather than standardised tuning.

For the accordion/concertina: These are standard instruments, so likely tuned to the Western equal temperament or whatever the instrument manufacturer used.

For guitars and modern instruments: They likely follow standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E for guitar) unless the musician specifically uses an alternate tuning, but that’s individual rather than a genre-wide characteristic.

Specific Notes Relating to Nassau / Chippingham Region
While much of the detailed ethnographic literature focuses on the outer or “Family” islands of the Bahamas (for example Cat Island is often mentioned for Rake-and-Scrape)

In Nassau (and nearby districts like Chippingham) the younger generations also engage in modern/pop fusion music (clubs, bars, popular bands) blending local instrumentation with electric/pop instruments.

Traditional music in the Bahamas (including the Nassau region) is deeply rooted in Afro-Bahamian rhythms merged with European influences.

Instruments like the goatskin drum, handsaw, accordion/concertina, guitar, and various percussion are key.

Technique (like bending the saw, adjusting drum skin tension) gives some special sound character.

Modern Bahamian musical scenes incorporate many global styles but often retain references to traditional instrumentation and rhythms.

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