All About the Cabasa, Shakers and Maracas

[@simonebartolettistella9873]

From 00:00 to 46:47 you have such passion in explaining all these kind of shakers that stucked me to the screen

[@JillKnapp]

Thanks for this, Rick! When you said "There's a perfect shaker for every song," I couldn't agree more. One time we were recording a quiet piece, and I couldn't find the right shaker in my arsenal, so I got the idea to use a regular ol' box of Quaker Oats-- I scooped out just a 1/4 cup from a fresh box, and it was the most beautiful, quiet, sandy sound. We all agreed it pretty much made the song.

[@nanovideo2023]

Great where i can ear the song?

[@Soavejo3]

You got a video for all my questions. Thank you for sharing your knowledge it is greatly appreciated!

[@rickdior]

Hi John Thanks for watching and have a great year. Rick

[@palindromial]

Thank you so much, you helped me to understand what some of the thousands of things in my drum machine actually are.

[@BreadNBeurre]

This is my new ASMR (sooo useful thank you rick)

[@kristianborisov5928]

Great video! Where can one get those straw shakers, which you show around 35:00?

[@LorieWild]

Yess!! That was perfect in every way!! All my life I waited!! ♥️🇨🇦♥️

[@ketzal.tierra]

bless!

[@shapedblue]

Literally got me sucked into watching the entire video too!! I’m soo amused by the different sounds as well. I’m curious if you have any insight into the usage of specific shakers in techno music. Raw, techno specifically.

[@theknow7557]

Learn to play the shaker with all your favorite songs. It’s so cool to add a shaker to a song. It makes it your own. I prefer metal shakers.

[@mattandtandra9268]

I dont feel like i have too many shakers after watching this!

[@rickdior]

You can never have too many shakers. Words to live by.

[@larryhunt7394]

Just awesome.

[@TheOrangeSwag]

Cabasas 7:30 shakers Tutorial 16:00 Plastic Shakers

[@ahchv]

Great video !!

[@lorimacinnis]

Would really like to hear some clips of your playing with a band!

[@rickdior]

Hi Lori There is a playlist called "Ricks Gig Playlist" where you can see some live things.

[@Jim5150jvc]

Thank you for the video Rick! Do you know what kind of shaker instrument is being used for the long fade-out of Chicago's famous tune BEGINNINGS? Whatever it is, I want to get one.

[@baddnerves3321]

Hello Rick! What are the names of the large yellow maracas in this video? I love the way they sound and would like to pick up a pair.

[@rickdior]

If you are talking about the large plastic ones those are made by LP. The tan ones are from Venezuela and are available from Drummers World online.

[@priyanshi7900]

Amazing video👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@jackbergseng5866]

I love this video!!! I’m just wondering, what brand/model type is the wahwah shaker (the Pac-Man) you show us at 26:12. Thankyou Rick! 🙂🤠🤠

[@rickdior]

Hi Jack That was made by Pete Englehart

[@Nezubñueltomichi]

Thanks for sharing, you are awesome!

[@rickdior]

Thank You Javier

[@chrisblue1515]

So grateful for cabasa stretching tip. Made my LP playable. Thanks a million!

[@revkelly58]

@@chrisblue1515 That trick alone made it worth watching.

[@Coconut-lo7yd]

Great stuff. Thanks...

[@Lisl83]

Hi Rick, Thank You for this SUPER HELPFUL VIDEO. I have a quick Question re CABASAS. I was given one to use & have been trying to work with it, but it feels like the beads drag. like they are too tight. I have played other peolple s cabasa with much more ease. Do i just have a dud? Or is there a lubricant or powder i should be using for slideability with the beads? i tried loosening the screw a bit, but that just seemed a tiny bit helpful. Please advise?

[@rickdior]

Hi Open up the cabasa, take off the bead strands and stretch them. You can use a reversing clamp known as a spreader to do this. That should fix the problem.

[@jasonmunday9056]

This is perhaps the most comprehensive video of all time about all things shaker related. Thx! Which one or ones would you recommend the most for live situations?

[@rickdior]

The red one I am holding in the main video picture. That's a great live shaker that really cuts through.

[@RivLoveshine]

The Aztecs had their iwn version of the shakers you wear on your ankles. The name for it those instruments are ayoyotes. I can never seem to remember the name for the version on a stick, though. It's similar to tour hooves one, but with the same seed pods found on ayoyotes and the name is some Nahuatl (Aztec language) word. Edit: after looing it up, I think the rattle I'm thinking of is called the ayacachtli. This one can amso be filled gourds.

[@joenolan4415]

very informative and helpful, thank you so much

[@AndrewHunterMusic]

great video! what do you think is the instrument heard at the beginning (and throughout) steely dan’s “do it again”? the sh-ka sh-ka sound. maracas? cabasa?

[@rickdior]

That's a large tube shaker that is close miked.

[@violetaylisto]

good video, thank you so much!

[@julianangelatos2319]

Hi Rick, do you ever tie shakers to your right hand drum stick when playing drum-set? Am trying to come up with the best possible solution for this. Great videos as always, thanks Rick!

[@rickdior]

Hi Julian I don't do that but you could easily take a small one shot shaker or another type of shaker and do that. Some companies like Vic Firth or Mike Balter make shaker timp mallets that I have used for the West Side Story timpani part which is normally played with maracas on timpani. You may want to use the back end of those.

[@StevenMiller2011]

Great demos. Thank you! You've influenced me to use 'box' shakers in my current composition😀 You mentioned one shaker in particular is great for using in 'swing'...please remind me of its name? Also, is a CONCUSSION BLOCK just a fancy name for a high-pitched woodblock? Lol. Thanks in advance for your reply. Steve 😉

[@rickdior]

Hi Steven I would avoid using uncommon brand names in your compositions. You should just notate "shaker" and then any performance instructions. I have never heard of a CONCUSSION BLOCK (sounds scary) so I am not sure what that is but I bet it's a company name for a product. There are many types of shakers that can be used for Jazz since it's tricky to play a shaker with a triplet feel. The old LP one shot shakers work well and are very common.

[@StevenMiller2011]

@@rickdior Thanks for your reply and advice. All noted. One quick question...are wah-wah shakers very common?

[@rickdior]

Fairly common. Some percussionists may not know what they are. They are almost always in small can form.

[@donnar278]

I'm in the process of purchasing a cabasa right now, and I came across the Meinl turbo, with the padded handle. Would you recommend that one also? I did notice they are stainless steel, whereas all other brands are chrome steel. Will that make a difference in quality?

[@rickdior]

I would try to find an older LP, those were the best.

[@Skiroy]

What size cabasa is the first one?

[@viewernum72]

awesome

[@Galadrew]

too bad you didn't give links to where these can be purchased They're hard to find.

[@SydneyLitwak]

Soo good 4:52 :-)

[@jasonmusic9938]

"it can be shaken, but not stirred"

[@DrummerGuirtaristman]

thank you

[@SydneyLitwak]

HELLAER HEAL

[@JennaytanaOfficial]

Thanks 🙏