X8 Drums Blog

New but already popular trip-hop band London Grammar captivates audiences with wistful lyrics delivered by Hannah Reid’s subtle yet powerful vocals, Dan Rothman’s melancholy guitar melodies, and Dominic ‘Dot’ Major’s quiet yet strong rhythm, occasionally delivered via a djembe. In fact, when Reid and Rothman first met Majors at Nottingham University, he was playing a djembe.Playing the drums and the keyboard as well, Majors is meticulous when it comes to deciding which sounds are enhanced by the …

On its own, the djembe is a warm, relaxing, and energetic instrument that’s ideal for celebrations, dancing, or simply gathering with friends. But when a djembe meets a guitar, the result is pretty magical. You still get that warm, relaxing sound and even the energy that makes you want to get up and dance. But there’s also an intimacy to a sultry guitar backed by a simple yet exotic world drum rhythm.The combination can create a variety of sounds and moods that can be both romantic and relaxing. …

Our X8 Drums Cajon Shootout continues with the Agile Series Schlagwerk Cajon:Like the Sela Cajon, the Schlagwerk Agile Cajon is made in Germany and features quality craftsmanship, including clean joints and sanded down surfaces. However, the top corners are glued down, so you won’t get that same slap sound out of the corners that you would with the Sela Cajon. What you do get is a tight, dry, punchy sound. In fact, the Schlagwerk Agile Cajon has the driest sound of all the cajons featured in thi …

Mapex Raptor Direct Drive Double Pedal review by Dave Sims at X8 Drums. Dave is a young, but seasoned touring drummer and a product specialist at X8. If you have further questions about the Mapex Pedal reviewed in this video or questions about any other related drum gear, drop us a line in the comments below. Dave is up for the challenge!The Mapex Raptor Direct Drive Double Pedal features a new sleek design. They've got elongated the foot boards and put sleek chrome plating on pedal with black h …

Time to find out just how drum savvy you are when it comes to rock drummers. We've compiled a list of rock bands that are home to some of the top earning drummers in rock. Topping the list is the drummer for the Beatles, said to be worth 300 million.Give the quiz a whirl and post your score in the comments area below. If you are anything like our Director of Operations, Matt (aka King of Trivia), you'll breeze through this test, laughing at how easy it is. If you are more like me, (aka Web Mistr …

Our friends at Rattletree Marimba are hosting an event like Austin has never seen before. In fact, this event will be so incendiary, the entire world will have a chance to enjoy the night, through the magic of live, streaming video!Austin Meets Zimbabwe will take place at the Rattletree Marimba studio in Austin, with a night of live African music, video projection, dancing and an unforgettable experience of sights, sounds and so much more! Truth aka Mike D. Johnson will be there, and SeVana Mari …

Tambourines are common hand percussion instruments that are seen in cultures around the world. These frame drums are known for the ability to accent a song or rhythm with a jingle and thump, so to speak, and are perfect for classrooms and the introduction of drumming and rhythm. Even with the simplicity of the instrument, there are many advanced methods to playing the tambourine that require practice, patience and determination. Most people are familiar with tapping the tambourine with the hand …

There is a vocabulary to music and drumming that remains a mystery to those who have not been indoctrinated into the society. Drummers and musicians in general talk about the different fills, licks and riffs to a rhythm, there’s the groove, and of course, the solo. This list is not exhaustive, however, but, it is a great start to beginning to not only sound like a drummer when playing a beat, but, to sound like a drummer when explaining your quest for rhythmic greatness. Fills, licks, riffs: Wh …

People think of music in a variety of ways; some merely enjoy the experience of listening to a favorite song, while others love the challenge of mastering an instrument or playing composer with friends. For anyone who has a familiarity with listening to, playing, or composing music, there is a certain sense that leads us to our favorite types of music that has no real definition. Music has an unspeakable pull with dimensions, aspects and elements that touch our minds, hearts and even our souls. …

Cymbals are a great way to customize your drum set and personal sound as a drummer. These instruments are available in a wide range of styles, with different materials used in their construction, a variety of cymbal finishes and, of course different sizes. All of these factors go into how each cymbal sounds when played, making certain cymbal types better for different genres of music or playing styles, or even to get a message across in a song.A common question that is asked when searching for n …