There is provided a rhythm shaker for producing percussive sound. The shaker has a shell that envelops a hollow interior that contains a number of percussive particles. The rhythm shaker's shell has an internal surface on which the enclosed sound producing material can strike the shell and make a sound where the sidewalls of the shell have at least two different thicknesses which, when struck by the enclosed sound producing material, produces a different sound depending on the thickness of the shell where struck.