X8 Drums Blog

The cajon drum originated in Peru and has been one of the most popular percussion instruments available since the eighteenth century. There are so many different types of cajons to enjoy, you might wonder where you should begin. If you are new to the world of cajons, the variety and selection may seem overwhelming. Let us go over some cajon options you will see when shopping for your next, favorite drum. Meinl’s Headliner Series Cajon with Siam Oak is a great option for anyone w …

Every rock star had a beginning. Even if your dream is not to become the best drummer on the planet, you need a good drumming foundation. Following are some basic tips that can help you develop your skills over time. Time is the key word here, because great drummers aren’t made overnight. With diligence and patience, these tips for beginning drummers will help create a master drummer.Learning to tune your instrument should be a priority for any musician. Properly tuned drums will make learning e …

Love for cajons is sweeping the world. The simple-looking boxes may fool the uninitiated into thinking they are not worth trying, but they have proven to be a highly satisfying addition to anyone’s percussion collection. Easy to transport, with a great sound that never fails to energize both drummer and audience, the cajon is almost like a genie in bottle. You can never predict how your life will be affected by it.Swan Percussion began in 2008 by founders Eric Holland and Mike Meadows. Eric, a d …

Conga drums are the drums most people think of when Cuban music is discussed. The formal name for conga drums is tumbadora and while it is primarily thought of as a Cuban instrument, it is of African beginnings. The ancestor of the modern conga drum likely originated in the Congo and Bantu regions of Africa. In fact, conga drums were only accepted into mainstream Cuban music in the late 1930s and 1940s. Prior to that, the only place in Cuba to hear the characteristic sound of the conga was the s …

Audition. It’s a word that strikes fear into the hearts of many performers, no matter their talent. However, there are steps every drummer can take to help auditions go more smoothly, both skills-wise and emotionally. While no two drummers are exactly alike, preparing for a drumming audition need not become an experience in reinventing the wheel. By following the steps below, your next audition can be a successful one, regardless of outcome.1. Do Your Research. Make sure you know what kind of ba …

Wouldn’t it be great if after one of your shows, a person came up to you and offered you an endorsement deal? You could get a lifetime of free drums and accessories, exposure, and world-class service simply because someone witnessed your amazing drumming skills.Except, it doesn’t really work like that.No matter how long a drummer has been swinging sticks or hitting the skins, eventually the question of how to get endorsed as a drummer arises. The answer is fairly simple and to the point, even if …

Throughout time, drums have been a cherished tool of communication. Whether being used to message members of faraway tribes across the plains of Africa, bestow praise and thanks upon the gods, or communicate among plantation slaves from different ancestral lands, drums have always represented a way of talking without using words. Verbal communication has its benefits, but almost nothing matches the drum when it comes to sending a message directly to the heart and soul.Even today, we use drums as …

So, you’re a drummer. And, not just any drummer. You’re a fabulous drummer. You eat, drink, and breathe drumming. When people think of impressive drummers, you come to mind. And, now, you would like to take yourself to another level. You want to start a band.Before starting your band, first decide what role you would like to play. Of course, you want to be the drummer, but do you have the leadership skills to be the band’s front "man?" Do you want to be the contact person for gigs? This decision …

The sound of drums has often been likened to the beating of a heart and vice versa. In fact, when we think of drumming (especially with regard to the bongos, conga, djembe, and other hand-beaten drums), we often simultaneously think of passion. The passion those drums conjures in our minds is usually of a loving and/or spiritual nature, giving it qualities of strength and endurance. It is perfectly natural for our minds to think of those things, as drums, love, and the heart are closely related. …

No two hand drums are alike, which is why we are excited to announce our latest innovation in hand percussion: the Twister Drum! Designed to meet the needs of drum circle facilitators, classroom educators, therapists, and community and corporate groups alike; this drum is an X8 Drums patent-pending innovation. There are (at least!) two extraordinary things you will notice immediately about the Twister Drum: the first being how light and easily portable it is. This drum is made of …