X8 Drums Blog

Percentages of sales for certain products at X8 Drums go to several charitable causes in Africa.Congo OrphanageThree different orphanages in Congo receive support to pay for improvements to the facilities and for food. Senegal Street KidsFinancial support helps to establish and maintain a home for street kids in Dakar Senegal. This money pays for rent, repairs to the building, labor costs for two employees, food and vaccinations. Reforming Women in AfricaThere are very few options women that m …

You can hear the sounds coming through the trees in the clearing; a low, rhythmic drumming catches your ear, and you can hear the music carrying through the forest. Getting closer, you smell incense and feel the warmth of a fire. People are dancing to the beat of a circle of drums; each person keeping tune and rhythm with those around them. The throb of the drums pounding together makes the ground vibrate under your feet. Even if you have never experienced one before, the electric feel of a Paga …

Ask a person what regret they have from their childhood is, and very often they will say that they wish they had learned to play an instrument. Whether it was the guitar, piano, violin, or drums, a child's innate ability to learn music and excel as they grow cannot be matched by an adult attempting to learn a similar instrument. Musical talent is not something that everyone has, but with practice it can become a valuable part of your daily life.Learning to play a musical instrument can be diffic …

Drumming is a passion that can ignite a person and encourage the motivation for creativity and artistry like no other.  It is this need to share the wonders of rhythm and drum with the world that can turn a person into a drum circle fanatic, a rock star drummer or even a force of inspiration through teaching drums. Truly, when it comes to sharing the love for drums and rhythm, perhaps there is no better way to value this passion than to become a drumming teacher. There are several …

Whether from an injury, or a battle with chronic pain, there are many reasons that people turn to alternative treatments in order to increase wellness in their lives. Living with pain can cause stress, depression, anxiety and a loss of focus on the things that matter in life. Finding a way to manage or cope with pain can be a struggle in itself, exacerbating the issue with pain and creating situations that “snowball” drastically. However, there is promise in the activity of drumming for th …

Drumming has long been used for its therapeutic effects. Throughout human history, drumming has been a tool that has helped bring about emotional change and relief for interpersonal problems. Therefore, the resurgence in the acceptance of using drums for stress relief is not surprising. Many people who drum regularly or who participate in drum circles have expressed how drumming helps them feel calmer and more relaxed. People walking by drummers banging away on their instruments have felt …

Percussion instruments have a long history in traditional African music and culture. Many of these percussion instruments, such as shakers and other drums, were created or adapted from common household or tribal objects. These instruments, once hand made from everyday materials, have now become celebrated staples in African music. The Udu drum is a perfect example of an instrument that evolved from such humble beginnings. The Igbo women of Nigeria used clay pots to store their food an …

X8 Drums is proud to announce that they have joined NAfME as a corporate member, thereby continuing their commitment to the promotion of music as a daily part of every student's education. From the time our children are babies, they respond to the sounds of music. We play sing-a-long games with our infants, and music plays a big part in the makeup of their playthings. As children grow and are exposed more widely to music, their knowledge of the world around them expands. Children learn …

The fun and magic of a drum circle can be seen in the joy on the faces of everyone who attends. These community based drum jams allow each person to feel as a part of the whole experience, while still allowing for self-expression through both rhythm and the instrument chosen to play. Drum circles combine the best of all worlds: music, drums, hand percussion instruments and even chanting and dancing. For many, however, including the best instruments for drum circles is part of the pro …

Today in West Africa, a study tour is taking place that immerses its students in the culture, tradition and lifestyle of the native people, by way of music and drumming.The Kusun Study Tour kicked off on August 13, 2010 and continues through September 13, 2010, challenging its students to learn the traditions and cultural diversity of Ghana, Africa, and benefiting the community as a whole. Ghana Drum School explains, “The aim of these tours is to establish and operate a cultural ce …