X8 Drums Blog

Hand drumming today is the evolution of inspiration, communication and ingenuity that can be traced to many different civilizations around the world. Drums have always been used to help people communicate with each other – we feel it today with the different rhythms that relay emotion and move us. However, when the world was much less connected through the postal service, television, radio, telephones and the Internet, communicating with those outside of a tribe or village was difficult, and dru …

It is that special time when we allow ourselves to reconnect with extended family and friends, bringing the end of another year to a close while planning for exceptional adventures in the New Year. Perhaps it is the level of rivalry that social media has bustled into our lives, but, it seems that more and more, there is a new competitive factor in holiday celebrations. No longer are family gatherings and holiday parties solely a source of holiday cooking and presents, more families and friends a …

Whether you are a student, a graduate, a parent or a person, everyone can appreciate a good snow day. Even in places where snow days don’t happen, the opportunity to throw your hands up in the air (and bring them down onto a drum) is an inescapable delight for many. Snow days, personal days or lazy Sundays are perfect times to relax and rejuvenate, but, if you need something to keep yourself, your kids, spouse, partner or neighbors busy, your snow day is the perfect time to try out some online d …

Ask a drummer why she or he loves to drum and you may be surprised at the answer you receive. Drummers come in all forms, play anything from speed metal to jazz to Salsa or they incorporate drumming sessions into their physical and mental wellness plans. Some drummers may drum to relieve stress or anxiety. The reasons are countless and as diverse as the landscape of rhythm itself. The mystery of rhythm and drummers is discussed in a recent blog from the Yorkshire Evening Post, where the enchantm …

There are a lot of stereotypes about drummers, whether they rock out in a band or sit in a circle with a djembe. One thing that is a truth about drummers, no matter the style, is drummers love to drum. DigitalJournal reports that in an effort to appease the rhythm within, a Kickstarter project has received a great deal of attention for its "Drum Pants" invention. These garments take advantage of a drummer's natural sitting position, allowing for a show of drumming skills that can only be accompl …

Today, the presence of drums and drum sets is as much a part of our lives as eating and sleeping, but, drumming was not always so present in the U.S. In the first video of a YouTube series, Vic Firth explains the history and evolution of the drum set through the years, starting with the end of the Civil War and slavery helped create the bass, snare drums, toms and techniques we all know and love today. …

Cuba is known for having a big influence in the sound and style of music today. As the music of Cuba is the result of several cultures blended over time, it has not only created very familiar grooves for its own population, but, has inspired music everywhere else. Perhaps more than the strong beat of a Salsa tune or the sultry vibe of the Rumba is the unique sound of Cuban percussion instruments. From the Claves to the Bata, and with a few Congas and Bongos thrown in the mix, Cuban percussion br …

In the U.S., the startling number of children and adults "on the spectrum" has given plenty of reasons for research and implementation of various therapies, including music. In other countries, however, the journeys we see may be a reminder of just how pervasive this disorder is, and how much basic treatments can help patients, and family members, cope with autism. Thenational.ae discusses a recent documentary about the way that music therapy has helped a family in UAE with the various issues su …

Taiko drumming is a beautiful choreography of dance and rhythm that tingles all of the senses while astonishing its audiences with the power and message it holds. Now Toronto reports that an all-female Taiko group is taking the stage, and the lead, in bringing an awareness of Taiko drumming and the new face of "femininity" as a diverse and emotional response that no longer has a strict set of rules. Raging Asian Women is reclaiming an ancient art, while dispelling the stereotypes of women and dr …

In 2012, one of the most amazing viral videos running through the ranks was of a boy drumming his very soul out to a few amazing songs. Yahoo Canada reports that because of this video, and the cover of Pearl Jam's "Mind Your Manners," little Jaxon Smith was treated to a high honor at a recent Pearl Jam show in Canada. Jaxon was not only given tickets to the show, but, was put in the spotlight by Eddie Vedder, himself, who made a promise that he is going to have to keep. Read more here: Pearl Jam …