X8 Drums Blog

Drumming has many benefits as it brings people together in the spirit of harmony, rhythm, healing or just for fun and entertainment, but have you thought of the health benefits that the act of drumming can bring to your body? Can drumming be considered exercise?If you watch a professional drummer perform, whether on a Djembe, in a marching band, or on stage at a show, the drummer is constantly in motion, using his or her arms, shoulders, back and even legs and feet for an extended am …

If drumming is a means to establish an otherworldly state of mind, among other pursuits, then drumming is a powerful way to initiate prayer and intention into the world.Shamanistic practitioners know the power of the drum and drum circle, and incorporate those rhythms into their own healing sessions, meditations and prayers by focusing on the rhythms that relate not only through their spiritual or ancestral lineage, but also the same rhythms that can be found in the deep recesses …

The sun is shining and there is a soft breeze wafting across the courtyard. The chattering crowd sitting restlessly in white chairs suddenly quiets and turns slightly toward the back of the area that has been draped with white and your meticulously chosen wedding colors and flowers. You pause, look ahead at your groom and take your first step… just as the first beats of a waiting circle of drummers begin to play on their Djembes.Weddings are celebrations of love, steeped in tr …

What can you do in 12 hours? Go to work, come home, eat, relax and unwind? Maybe you can also work out or catch up with friends while listening to music at a local shop…especially one that is the center of a 12 hour marathon of drumming to support breast cancer research. On November 6, 2010, Randy Van Patten, the founder of Vanz Drumming, drummed for 12 consecutive hours, live (and streaming on the Internet!), in support of “Drummin’ for Cancer” – a fundraising event in …

Reggae music is a fairly modern evolution of World Music that initially began on the island of Jamaica in the 1950’s. Before Reggae, musicians in Jamaica could be found playing Ska, the combination of Mento music (Jamaican folk) and Calypso, and Rock Steady music, which was the slower response to Ska, giving musicians a chance to play longer, keeping the dancers dancing and the parties... partying. While the Rock Steady music era was short-lived, its lyrics about social …

Maybe you’ve been minding your own business, taking a leisurely stroll through a local park, and have happened upon a group of drummers seemingly pounding away in their own world of rhythm. Perhaps, if you were really lucky, you even got a chance to watch a few inspirational dancers, or were invited to join the circle. It is these people sitting in a circle, beating their djembes and bongos and shaking their rattles, shekere or tambourines that can inspire, intimidate …

The proper care of your Djembe is invaluable to its longevity, appearance and sound. A well-maintained Djembe can last for years, or even longer, and be a long-standing centerpiece to your percussion collection or for your community drum circle. By keeping the basic needs of your Djembe in mind, it is sure to last a long time, helping to create amazing rhythms and sounds while still showcasing the beauty of its own construction and history. A Djembe is typically construct …

Claves are one of the most basic instruments that can be found in almost all cultures. However, the two wooden sticks or dowels, struck together, are mostly attributed to the Cuba and its music. The rhythmic Rumba Claves and Son Claves are the backbone of Latin American music today, including Salsa and Mambo, and were named for the instrument used to create the rhythms. Since the introduction of African slaves into Cuba during the 16th and 17th centuries, much of Cuba …

The Kalimba is a modern evolution of the African thumb piano, “mbira,” that dates back over 800 years. Its name literally means, “little music,” deriving from the size of the instrument and the soft tones it produces. Kalimbas are known by many different names, depending on the country or region in which they are found. Zambia’s kalimba is called, “Luvale,” while Zimbabwe uses the terms, “Karimba,” “Mbira,” or “Matapee.” Other names include, “Sansa,” “Marimbula,” or just …

With the holiday season in full swing, maybe you are one of the lucky people who received a drum wrapped in brightly colored paper and tied with a sparkly bow. Drums are the perfect gift for the person who has everything, a musically-oriented healer, or a percussion buff who wants to add new sound to their repertoire. Playing a new drum, regardless of your experience level, can be challenging (yet, rewarding!), and it always helps to have a “quick start” guide to what will …