By Elizabeth Seward
New York, NY, USA | Sat Apr 25 14:00:00 GMT 2009
As a musician, I have learned that some pretty unsuspecting items can make for the coolest sounds in the recording studio. Sometimes the drum microphone will lend your voice more favors than a vocal microphone. Sometimes the clanging of your dangling earrings will yield a cool percussive sound that should stay a part of the song. Maybe it's just because I am currently in a recording stage, but I've been thinking a lot about the cool sounds that can come from everyday items for the purposes of studio perfection.
I recently made an oh-so-easy shaker and I can't wait to hear how it comes across in my next song recording. I have a feeling it'll instantaneously promote my song to Led Zeppelin stature—it's just a hunch. But hey, even if my recycled shaker doesn't make me the next Robert Plant, it'll still make for a great sound without purchasing anything new.
If you want to make this cool shaker, all you need is a few spare minutes and some common household goods.
How to make a shaker from a can and dry pasta:
Locate your can. I had a classy Budweiser tall boy lying around in the recycling bin thanks to my roommate. Wash out whatever you find in your recycling bin.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Seward
Use scissors to puncture a hole in the can's top and proceed to cut off the top of the can.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Seward
Fill the can with any noise-making items you can find. I happened to have some dry pasta in my kitchen and it turned out making for a really neat sound.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Seward
Once you've got your noise-making items in your can, use packing tape or duct tape to seal the top of the can.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Seward
Decorate the can however you see fit. I happened to have a large Budweiser ad from the '70's, courtesy of the same roommate, and I taped it to my shaker for a cohesive look for my shaker.
Enjoy! This project is a great way to reuse some old things and avoid buying something new simultaneously. Oh yeah. And make some fresh beats.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Seward
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