X8 Drums Blog

There are so many drummers in the world that it seems like there should be an almost infinite supply of various drumming styles. Unfortunately, what typically happens is that people find a drummer whose sound and style they enjoy and they only try to copy what that drummer is doing. If you want to stand out and find greater satisfaction with your music, though, you should think about finding your drumming style. There is only one you, so channel your creativity in a way that allows us to hear w …

Tom Grossett has become the new world record holder for fastest drummer. Within one minute, Tom produced 1208 hits on a drum. The former world record of 1203 strokes was set in 2003. The competition for the new record recently took place in Nashville, Tennessee, home of all sorts of music. The world record comes with a belt and inclusion in the list of the world’s fastest drummers. This competition is part of extreme sport drumming and Sports Grid reports that Tom has just ousted long-time champ …

A basic drum kit setup consists of a bass drum, tom-tom drums, a snare drum, and cymbals. Many drummers, especially beginners, do well with this setup, but if you have been considering expanding your drums, there are many directions you can go in. Many drummers add several types of cymbals to their kits and there are special pedals you can purchase if you are looking for the double bass sound. Once you have decided why you are adding to your kit and what you want to achieve sound-wise, here are …

Image courtesy of mysunshinecoast.com.auMy Sunshine Coast reports that Keyim Ba’s The African Caravan will be performing in Noosa, Australia, this September. The 8-piece band combines West African beats with reggae, funk, and rap to produce music that is enthralling. The band won the Kultour touring grant which is helping it to tour the entire continent of Australia this year. They will be accompanied by musicians from Sydney and some dancers, as well. There will even be drumming workshops for e …

When it comes to honing musical skills, it is best to begin in childhood. The earlier children are exposed to music and given the tools to compose, the better. Music has been shown to positively affect brain development, lending itself to increased math skills and greater creativity. Children who are encouraged to play musical instruments generally do better academically than their non-musical peers. This awareness is behind the cultivation of music programming geared toward infants and toddlers …

Last week, the Blue Man Group held auditions and over 50 men showed up for the opportunity. The musical group has gained a strong following over the years and drummer Aaron Legg even flew from Florida to make it to the Chicago audition. The three-day audition was held at Briar Street Theatre and, if chosen, applicants will attend an acting workshop and play a scene in full regalia before a final decision is made. Due to a need for the blue men to look interchangeable, females are rarely chosen, …

Drum Struck is the name of an interactive drumming theater group currently on tour throughout the world. The theme the drumming theater group is working with is the African concept of Ubuntu or community. The South Africans hope to address social ills by reminding everyone that “we are who we are through community”. The performance centers around the importance of the Ngoma drum and the Ubuntu Queen and what happens as a society deteriorates due to valuing gold over tradition. The drum is set as …

Ringo Starr, famous drummer from The Beatles, recently celebrated his 73rd birthday. He began his drumming career as a child in hospital, where nurses presented him with percussion instruments in order to encourage motor stimulation. With his interest piqued, Ringo ended up joining a band at age 19. The Celebrity Café reports that while touring with this band, called The Hurricanes, Ringo met his future Beatles band mates: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison. Overcoming more adversi …

Some United Kingdom physicians are prescribing singing lessons to patients with breathing problems. Global News reports that a less traditional form of help is being offered to UK patients suffering from asthma, emphysema, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). The singing classes aim to teach them how to breathe better and make the most of their lung capacity. Controlled breathing techniques like those learned through singing, yoga, and tai chi help people with breathing problems be …

Jason Gianni teaches beginning drummers how to increase their stick speed and control in this Howcast video. He suggests using a variety of muscle groups in different strokes. He says to start with the fingers and move through each group until you have built up the muscles. You start slowly and then go faster. The point seems to be to isolate each group as you exercise it: fingers, wrist, and arm. The point is not to learn new technique, it is to simply become more aware of what you are doing wh …