How to Play Shaker Like a Pro

How to play shaker. Learn how to play the shaker like a PRO in this instructional video by Kalani Das.

Using Associate Links helps support World Drum Club while making sure you get the best gear for the job.

WDC T-Shirts and More

Recommended Production Gear:

Books by Kalani:

Videos by Kalani

Recommended Drums & Accessories:

Recommended Hand Percussion:

[kevinmoore]

I've played violin, guitar, and bass professionally but have always been horribly embarrassed about my truly pathetic inability to play this kind of instrument. I can sing the rhythms I want it to play and transcribe them off records and I can hear how well someone else is performing but I just can't get any rhythm out of a shaker to save my life. So I started going through YouTube instructional videos with an egg shaker in my hand and while all of them sounded good, none of them made me sound any better except this one. I still suck but this is the first time I've ever made any progress at all, so thank you very much! Holding it higher and singing "cacophony" both really helped. I'll go check out the longer video now.

[qq]

Thanks for making this beginner-friendly intro!

[steve]

Thank goodness you covered the safety aspect. I can't tell you how many times I have seen serious shaker injuries because of misuse! Seriously though, thanks dude. I'm getting back into percussion after being out of the business for 39 years and I have forgotten many of these small, but important techniques. And "cacophony"... well, that's brilliant and funny.

[Sharricb]

Excellent tutorial. I'm 55 and going to begin shakers for stress relief and fun too!! Thank you!!

[jasmineward]

Lol my dad is a plumber and a drummer not even kidding

[CaliLiliIndies]

Awesome vids + great sense of humor too 🌊🐬🌊 thanks for all you do

[c.]

The long one might be long but I reccommend it. As a amateur musician, it is very interesting to learn about other people perspective on such a simple yet profound instrument. Thank you for the VDO. Keep up the quality content:)

[Robfnord]

Bought this thing thinking it would be a laugh to record some percussion but it's the most difficult instrument i own :D

[badurguard]

Thanks, it helped me a lot as a producer

[djpaulcfunkeddub]

Cool man, good to have the break, appreciate it & the harping! :D

[drumsgo]

Hey man, love your video. I can't tell you how many times I've watched it and I always pick something up from it. I like your personality the way you come across and you're teaching, and this has helped me understand the shaker . I have referred several people to this video so thanks again. Thank you for the information so much

[davidrumpler]

Great video…and funny! I’m glad to know that the technique you teach is “safe and effective” if used as directed (lol) The mnemonic I was taught for samba shaker accents was “a-duck, a chick—a-duck, a chick”….but ca-ca-phony works too. :-)

[zealfonso]

Thanks Kalani! Shaker was the first strument that I've ever played and I love it so much💖💖💖💖💖💖

[廖仲雲]

Thanks for the quick lesson I can now apply this ability to my songs

[caroconga]

Very clear tutorials. Thanks a million!

[MamaJeanMontessoriMusic]

Concise teaching!
Thank you for the clear tutorial 🙏🏻

[stevebache]

Nice video. My daughter is a beginning percussionist and this will help.

[davidstein]

Thanks for this
well presented, fun & informative video

[James-epzv]

Thank you brother, I am just learning the shaker, thanks for your I insite!

[aljonserna]

ah it's been 4 years already, then I remembered that I still have that shaker--lost my egg and diy shakers--and I still wanna learn more from these clips haha