Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
From my 2024 archive:
Always young at heart, and exploring the possibilities in the every day, I've decided to create a shaker for each day of Advent in the lead-up to Christmas - an Advent Shaker Calendar. Why don't you join me, and create your own!
Video Transcript:
Well this is a lovely time of year, and I actually really enjoy Advent calendars. And it gave me the idea that perhaps I could create a Shaker Advent Calendar, so basically make a different shaker each day until Christmas Day. So yesterday I had to be performing, and I know it was 1st December yesterday. However, I decided to make two shakers today to make up for yesterday. So this one is something I was just about to throw out. It’s basically two Tupperware lids – plastic lids – and I didn’t have the containers to fit them, so I thought “Auch, well, I don’t need to keep them”, then as I popped them together, I noticed a little gap, and I thought “Ah, I could make a shaker out of this!”. So, it’s very crudely taped together with gaffa tape. I’ve put some small ballbearings here. So you can tap it like this – almost use it like a shaker drum – or obviously, as a shaker itself. Lots of ways you can use it! So it’s just a really simple inexpensive shaker. The other one I made is here. Again, I was going to throw this out. So this is just like a CD holder. Again, there is a small gap inside. I’ve got bigger ball bearings in here. So we’ve got a real racket going on! It’s just a lovely feel in your hand – the big ball bearings rolling around and a kind of really gutsy sound there. And the wonderful thing is, when you explore all of these objects, you really take note what it feels like in your hand, and try different positions of playing these. But just look around you and see “what can I do today to make a shaker”. So you’ve got 25 days to think about! Enjoy.
Video Description:
Evelyn is stood surrounded by a vast array of percussion instruments, which belong (along with numerous other artefacts) to The Evelyn Glennie Collection. She shows us the shakers she has created today, describing what they are made from, and how the sound they produce feels.
From my 2024 archive:
Always young at heart, and exploring the possibilities in the every day, I've decided to create a shaker for each day of Advent in the lead-up to Christmas - an Advent Shaker Calendar. Why don't you join me, and create your own!
Video Transcript:
Well this is a lovely time of year, and I actually really enjoy Advent calendars. And it gave me the idea that perhaps I could create a Shaker Advent Calendar, so basically make a different shaker each day until Christmas Day. So yesterday I had to be performing, and I know it was 1st December yesterday. However, I decided to make two shakers today to make up for yesterday. So this one is something I was just about to throw out. It’s basically two Tupperware lids – plastic lids – and I didn’t have the containers to fit them, so I thought “Auch, well, I don’t need to keep them”, then as I popped them together, I noticed a little gap, and I thought “Ah, I could make a shaker out of this!”. So, it’s very crudely taped together with gaffa tape. I’ve put some small ballbearings here. So you can tap it like this – almost use it like a shaker drum – or obviously, as a shaker itself. Lots of ways you can use it! So it’s just a really simple inexpensive shaker. The other one I made is here. Again, I was going to throw this out. So this is just like a CD holder. Again, there is a small gap inside. I’ve got bigger ball bearings in here. So we’ve got a real racket going on! It’s just a lovely feel in your hand – the big ball bearings rolling around and a kind of really gutsy sound there. And the wonderful thing is, when you explore all of these objects, you really take note what it feels like in your hand, and try different positions of playing these. But just look around you and see “what can I do today to make a shaker”. So you’ve got 25 days to think about! Enjoy.
Video Description:
Evelyn is stood surrounded by a vast array of percussion instruments, which belong (along with numerous other artefacts) to The Evelyn Glennie Collection. She shows us the shakers she has created today, describing what they are made from, and how the sound they produce feels.
