A percussive shaker instrument with improved control in producing rhythmic sound and capable of producing different percussive sounds in a single shaker is disclosed. The shaker comprises one or more channels filled with a striker material. The channel isolates the striker material from the striker material in other channels and from any other part of the shaker. The striker material is freely movable within the channel such that it may collide with a striking surface when the shaker is moved. Alternatively, the shaker may comprise one or more pairs of jingles suspended inside the shaker body. The jingles are freely movable within the body such that they are capable of striking each other when the shaker is moved.