X8 Drums Blog

There are so many reasons to drum and be one with the beat, we’re often caught off guard when anyone says they don’t “get” drummers. So, maybe you aren’t the kind of person who can spend hours behind a drum set, pounding away with your drumsticks and learning the intricacies of the hi-hat. Maybe you’re not that much into drum circles, or djembe drums and the fun of community drumming. Maybe the obvious drumming traditions aren’t all that exciting for you, and you need more pomp and splendo …

Handpan or Hang drums are pretty great. They’re new, funky, and the more that people get into them, the more varieties are developed. The original PANArt Hang Drum was just the beginning, and it wasn’t even that long ago that it busted onto the drumming (hand percussion, idiophone, music) scene. In 15 years, the delightfully odd and harmonic sound of handpan drums has captivated more than just street performers and drum circle attendees. These crazy percussion instruments are finding their …

We don’t want to toot our own horns, but, we’re pretty smart when it comes to drums and percussion. We love the smiles and fun that a drum can bring into the mix and the unstoppable benefits of rhythm for the brain. We support music education for all ages (you’re never too old to groove!) and as advocates for drums and rhythm, we’re often asked what the best instrument is to tie it all together and make some noise, from preschool through the golden years.Well, drums, of course… djembes, bo …

Exercise can be fun, or tedious, depending on who you ask, when you ask, or even why you’re asking. Some people exercise because they are inherently physical people with abundant energy, a love of sports or because they like how it feels mid-sprint. Other people exercise because it reduces stress, helps keep weight gain at bay, or because they bought a gym membership on a whim. These same reasons (except the gym membership, of course) are also why people pick up a drum or start hammerin …

Having a teacher or mentor is important in life. Usually, when we get into music or playing an instrument, we find an artist (or 10) who we can relate to – whether it is their style of music, personal story or the clothes they wear. For drummers, much of that inspiration comes from the greats like Buddy Rich or Bonzo, or even from an inspired historical love of hand drumming and African culture. The problem that comes is that while we can be inspired by those drummers who have gone befo …

Busking is a pretty familiar sight around the globe. It can be a representation of the need to “busk a move” when the music hits, or, a way to earn a little extra cash. Some people busk because they just can’t help but feel the music, or love the adoring crowds that street performing (especially drumming!) can pull together. Whatever your reasons are for jumping into busking, there are always good and bad ways to go about it. First, if you’re going to be a street drummer or a busker, you n …

Drummers have to contend with a lot of aches and pains in the process of creating beautiful rhythm. While we may appear to have unlimited energy and a spirit of folly at times, that doesn’t mean we don’t have the same feelings as the rest of the world – especially when it comes to our bodies. Drumming is hard work, and even if we’re the drummer who sits behind a drum set, we can feel the burn in our legs, arms, neck and back. But, this isn’t about those drummers who sit… thi …

Drum circles are commonly seen on beaches and in parks: public places where the sound of djembes, didgeridoos, shakers and hand-clapping accent perfectly the dancing, chanting and joy felt by anyone willing to pitch in their “voice.” These same people who attend drum circles are unique; in a sense they are just as different as the reasons for holding these events. That’s why when there is a special call to join together in the spirit of “Seeing Deeper,” the surprise instead becom …

It seems like every week, there are more studies concluded on the benefits of music in our lives. If you take the basic, “music soothes the savage soul” adage to heart, then you already understand just how important it is to have music in our lives. So many things about the mind-body-spirit connection that is shared through music are inspirational and encouraging, and as drummers and musicians, we all experience these “groundbreaking” headlines in our own lives all the time. But, it …

As drummers, we can find amazing rhythm in the most mundane of days. The beat runs deep in our souls, and just as amazing as it is to master a technique or develop our own passion for drumming, it is even more incredible to discover another drummer with the same fire in their eyes. American Idol isn’t known for showcasing the full range of musical talents of its contestants. The show began as a talent contest for vocalists, and in the years that it has been running, more instruments ha …