X8 Drums Blog

X8 Drums is pleased to announce its partnership with Gon Bops Cajons and Percussion, bringing this legendary brand of Latin drums and hand percussion direct to customers seeking quality instruments and unbeatable sound.Gon Bops began manufacturing its drums in 1950s California, producing the highest quality congas available, and through the years, has come full-circle in the manufacturing and artistry of congas, bongos, cajons and percussion instruments as well as innovative …

Drumming within a drum circle or leading a therapeutic drumming environment requires the ability of the facilitator to keep the drumming interesting as well as easy for the novice drummer or for those with physical or other limitations. Complex rhythms, while fun and inspirational, can cause the participants to shy away from drumming, feeling overwhelmed in terms of the ability needed to play, or even causing sensory overload for more sensitive participants. A time-honored d …

No matter how carefully a set of conga drums is handled, or the amount of time spent playing the congas, these Latin percussion instruments will need to be tuned periodically in order to ensure the best sound and playability. The trick to tuning the congas is not the actual tuning of the drums, but rather the knowing that there is actually no “right” pitch for congas and that each conguero can tune the congas per a personal preference or for a particular song.To tune the cong …

A broken, cracked or torn drum head can make a drum impossible to play. Stresses like traveling, storage or exposure to harsh weather conditions can cause a natural skin drum head to split or break. Bongos, one of the most portable drums available, can be subjected to these changes throughout the life of the drums, and repairing the natural skin of the drum head is a challenging undertaking for even the most experienced bongocero.In order to keep the tone and sound consistent …

Didgeridoo players are well known as eccentric, creative and talented individuals who have mastered the very difficult concept of circular breathing, can back up any sort of trance or techno beat and are often invited to different workshops, stores or other other events so others can witness the healing abilities of the didgeridoo. Because the didgeridoo is still a curiosity for many, the different people who handle an instrument can go beyond the comfort zone of the didgeridoo pla …

Music programs in schools are some of the most valuable educational gifts a child can receive. Music classes expose children to all types of music, teach its history and theory, as well as the mechanics of reading, writing and playing music. Since many children are unable to receive this type of education in the home, the information that is provided through music education programs is an important foundation that can benefit other academic areas, as well as provide an outlet …

The statistics are astounding: one in 110 children are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the US. ASD is a pervasive disorder that does not discriminate based on age, race, religion, ethnicity or socioeconomic group, but touches the lives of everyone, equally. Autism Spectrum Disorder encompasses a wide range of communication and social disabilities, leaving the child or adult affected by ASD without the ability to learn and integrate the necessary life skills needed …

When first learning to play the bongos, the different sounds and tones produced from the bongos can inspire creative patterns and fills that compliment any recording or performance. These same improvisational rhythms are used to enhance the sound of a drum circle, making the bongos a Latin-flavored compliment to the timbre of the djembe or any other percussion instruments being played. Once the basics of bongo playing have been mastered, the burgeoning Bongocero may wish to incorpora …

Rooted in mystery, bongos are thought to have originated in Africa and brought to Latin America during the slave trade, after which they became a staple in Mamba, Conga and Salsa music. Today, American-born artists have adapted the sound of the bongos into almost every genre of music, bringing a historic instrument and method of communication into the present, where it can be enjoyed by musicians, fans, drum circle participants and the random Beatnik poet.The list of famous Bongoce …

Pregnancy is an exciting and challenging time. Women are adapting to the changes in their own bodies while preparing, emotionally and physically, for a new addition to the family. Men are preparing for the future with a brand new infant in their own ways, as well. The anticipation, worry, and excitement of the arrival of a new life can lead to the wonderful discovery of the powerful effects of music during pregnancy on fathers, mothers and the baby-to-be.Music is well known for its …