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Musical instruments are fundamental to music making in most of Florida’s
cultural communities. Instruments extend a community’s musical resources
beyond those of the human body itself and shape its musical styles. While
most musicians in Florida perform with factory-made instruments that are
purchased in stores, some use instruments made by hand by local craftsmen.
These instrument makers have detailed knowledge of the acoustic properties
of natural materials, particularly woods and animal skins.
A variety of percussion instruments are constructed in Florida, many
of which are used for ritual or festive occasions. Rattles made from kgourds,
coconut shells and milk cans are employed in Seminole ceremonies. Central
to the Afro-Cuban Orisha religion are double-headed batá drums,
constructed from diverse woods and skins, and gourd shekerés. Vodou
drums continue to be carved in Haiti but are often covered with skins
in Miami. Similarly, clay shells and goatskins for tassa drums are purchased
in Trinidad and later assembled in South Florida for use in Hindu weddings
and festivals. Trinidadian steel pans are fabricated from discarded oil
and chemical containers for performances ranging from the Miami Carnival
to hotel concerts.
Also present in the state are makers of string and wind instruments.
For years the fiddle has been a key instrument in country music traditions,
while acoustic guitars are used by classicl, flamenco and other musicians.
Shofarot are made from animal horns for Jewish holiday celebrations, tsabounas,
a type of Greek bagpipe, are constructed in Tarpon Springs from goatskins.
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