X8 Drums Blog

Family traditions create connections between generations, no matter how big or small the traditions are. When a family tradition includes the knowledge and passion of drum making, however, the connection between those generations becomes a work of art. CarrickTimes reports that a drum maker in Carrickfergus is continuing his own family tradition of hand-making drums. Jim Hamilton is a third-generation craftsman of Lambegs and Bodhrans that use oak, walnut, and ash wood, as well as goatskin heads …

Cheap Trick’s former drummer, Bun E. Carlos, is embroiled in a lawsuit with his former band. Although he quit touring with the band in 2010, his suit contends that there was an agreement to keep paying him. As such, he is suing the band for $600,000. Of course, the band is counter-suing, stating that once Carlos left the tour, they formally exited him from the band and owe him nothing. David Frey, a former band manager for the group, is also suing the band for $900,000. The Rockford Register Sta …

Drumming has been used to help people meditate for many centuries. Because it mimics the rhythms we all become accustomed to while developing in our mothers’ wombs, it is thought that the drum can help people reach a meditative state more easily and sometimes more quickly than other meditation methods. Drumming and meditation make perfect partners as drumming helps clear the mind. The beat acts as a sort of mantra that is repeated over and over, again, until all that remains is silence. When us …

A nine-year-old boy recently got one of the highest scores ever on a grade five drumming exam. Joel Wolstencroft lives in England and has been drumming since he was three years old. He comes from a family of guitarists, but is passionate about drums. His family credits his high score of 92% to both his talent and his female drum instructor. Ms. Alex Langford-Taylor is an instructor at Booths Music in Churchgate, Bolton, and Joel has been attending since he was six years old. His drumming heroes …

Picking a properly-sized djembe is important for both comfort and sound production. Djembes come in a variety of sizes, which can make knowing which to get a little confusing at first. The variety of sizing is a good thing, though, as people also come in a variety of sizes and djembes are truly drums for the people! If you need help deciding what is the right djembe size for you, take the following things into consideration. First, hand size is a good indicator of drum size needed. Djembes are h …

If you have been dreaming of music that blends Irish pipes with Indian drums, you are in luck. The Irish Times has announced that Khanda, the jazz band rooted in traditional Irish and Indian music, is back at it. Early versions of Khanda were experimented with beginning in the 1990s, when Irish jazz musician Ronan Guilfoyle decided to expand his musical repertoire. He found a true representation to be difficult to develop, so he and Indian percussionist Ramesh Shotham collaborated to produce a s …

The didgeridoo has plenty of healing capabilities and the AJBlock.com website has shared some stories of how the instrument has brought positive change to people’s lives. People who play the didgeridoo can expect some therapeutic benefits because the instrument requires a deeper breathing than they may be used to performing. Breathwork has long been associated with relaxation and stress-relief, but what is also nice is that listening to the instrument is just as relaxing. When used for meditativ …

It can be exciting to finally find a drum that speaks to you. After months of searching, you finally know which drum set you would like to use to begin your percussion adventure. Or, perhaps you were immediately struck by the sound of someone playing a particular drum and knew that drum was the one for you. Regardless of how you and your drums come together, it is a time of joy. Learning to properly care for your drums is an important part of continuing a long, happy relationship with your inst …

Vibration causes certain injuries that drummers may experience as a result of indulging in their craft. An advice article on Drum! magazine’s website gives a breakdown of the problem and tips on how to prevent it. Because continuous exposure to vibration can cause particular health problems, drummers are encouraged to be mindful of it. While more difficult to control than seating position and technique, some things to consider are using anti-vibration drum sticks or wearing gloves while playing. …

image courtesy of http://www.goupstate.comA band called Zansa is leading the Afropop music scene in Asheville, North Carolina. The group is, so far, the only Afropop band in town, but with the release of their new album, that might change. GoUpstate.com recently reported that the members of Zansa visited the Ivory Coast for the inspiration of “Djansa”. The CD is full of danceable, celebratory music rooted in traditional African songs. Zansa’s distinctive sound blends traditional African instrume …