X8 Drums Blog

Cajon drums are some of the most beloved percussion instruments on the market today, and continue to gain popularity in all genres of music. As seemingly simple drums, Cajon drums have the ability to be used in place of a full drum set, as well as in more intimate settings like drum circles and private parties. The versatility and portability of these drums is one of the main reasons for the popularity, but they are also well known for a rhythmic sound and tone extendibility allowed through s …

Choosing an instrument or drum can be an exciting, yet difficult time for any musician. As with any instrument, concerns over the right sound of the instrument, quality, value and appearance are all part of the selection process. For the drummer, percussionist or bongo player, the right set of bongo drums can make or break a sound and much of this decision can be based in the choice between wood or fiberglass bongos. Today’s bongo drums stick close to their roots, both in design and s …

Perhaps the best part of drumming is a drum solo… or a fill… or just a stunning backbeat… or all of those tied into one hard-hitting extravaganza of drumming awesomeness. Whatever your favorite part of drumming is, one thing is certain: your drum set must have a rockin’ set of cymbals that express your personal sound and highlight your extraordinary talent. X8 Drums is thrilled to announce that we now carry the cymbals you’ve been dreaming of!Whether you are in the market for a set of cymbals, o …

Drumming and rhythm continues to find a path in the world of exercise and fitness. From group exercise that includes rhythm and drums, to the simple act of plugging into some music while working out, drumming reaches beyond motivation and can benefit the brain as well as the body. For the drummer, drumming itself is a form of exercise that can combine the best of all worlds. But, like any aerobic or cardiovascular activity, drumming also comes with the potential for injury to the drum …

Babatunde Olatunji is responsible for bringing African music to prominence in Western culture. He has collaborated with a wide variety of well-known figures including musicians like Carlos Santana and social activists like Martin Luther King, Jr. He has performed on the Grammy Award winning album Planet Drum and is a Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame inductee. Olatunji saw the power that a drum had over the personal spirit and he believed in developing a community of non-professional drummers …

With a heat wave blazing across the U.S. this summer, rain seems to be on the minds of people across the country. Temperatures are at an all-time high, and many states are seeing drastically low water levels, dried-out crops and gardens and little relief in sight. Droughts and heat waves are nothing new to endure, but, in today’s modern times, the “sit and wait” philosophy seems to be winning out over time-honored practices of indigenous people of the land. In times past, during droughts an …

Trilok Gurtu, an Indian born percussionist is constructing a new tradition of music built on the idea of World Music. His vision is to create something special by adding a pinch of traditional with a dash of modern all rolled into one. Gurtu is never afraid to try new things including his efforts to expand the world of drumming and music as a whole.Trilok was born into a musical family in Mumbai. His father was a Sitar player, and his mother was a professional singer. Whenever his father’s Tabla …

Poncho Sanchez is El Conguero, THE Conguero. He was not the first, but he is certainly one of the best. This conga player, or conguero, has spent a lifetime exploring the wondrous song of the congas. With his drums in hand, Sanchez escapes into a world of rhythm and fire and is willing to take anyone listening with him on a musical journey. Poncho Sanchez has played with the likes of Chano Pozo, Dizzy Gillespie, and Cal Tjader and helped create the new sounds of Latin Jazz.Sanchez began his musi …

Drumming can take many forms in a person’s life. From drumming on desktops and steering wheels to drum kits or a Djembe, it becomes a part of life. It is an outlet for creativity, an art, and most of all a passion. However as we all know, often life’s passions fall by the wayside in favor of everyday minutiae. Many things can get in the way of regular drumming, such as jobs, familial obligations, or health issues. As with many creative outlets, the longer you go without indulging in drummin …

Many drummers often find themselves tapping out a beat on whatever happens to be available. Tapping the steering wheel while listening to the radio, drumming on a desk, or even on your thighs are ways to practice your technique or just to keep your hands and mind busy. However those methods aren’t always ideal, since they can sometimes bother bystanders. Thanks to the influx of smartphones and other mobile devices (such as tablets or iPads), you can now find applications to satisfy your nee …