X8 Drums Blog

Autism has come a long way in terms of awareness and acceptance in our lives. With recent statistics reporting one in 68 children are diagnosed on the autism spectrum, there is no doubt that a child or adult with Asperger’s Syndrome or any other diagnosis “on the spectrum,” is a unique individual. But, also, the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) had continued to provide a natural path toward autism awareness.Since research has shown the academic, social and emotional benefits of dru …

Drumming has been shown to help heal those struggling with grief and trauma, teach people with disabilities basic learning and life skills, and strengthen communities. According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2003, drumming can also enhance recovery from addiction when used as complementary therapy to addiction treatment. Using various methods of research, study researcher and author Michael Winkelman, PhD, MPH, found that drumming can help people r …

Drumming continuously proves to be an effective form of music therapy. Most recently, drumming is used to challenge the brains of dementia patients at Phoebe Allentown Health Care. Elderly suffering from dementia experience a loss of intellectual and social functions, such as memory, language, and judgment. However, Phoebe has recently introduced its dementia patients to drum therapy to help them keep and strengthen what’s left of these functions. At drum therapy sessions, staff members tra …

The throne is an important part of any drummer’s performance. Many beginner drummers don’t understand the importance of a good drum throne. Regular chairs can limit the range of motion and control over a drum while rocking out. Thrones can be the key to maintaining a good level of comfort while performing or practicing. Since there are many different options when choosing a throne, and as with most things when it comes to drumming, there is no right or wrong choice. What you find to be comforta …

Ten of the past and present members of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 29th annual induction ceremony on April 10. The E Street Band’s original drummer, Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez, was among the band members inducted.Lopez played percussion on Springsteen’s first two albums, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle. Lopez’s time with the band ended the next year, but that didn’t stop him from rocki …

With all of the different styles of drumming and drums available, the world of rhythm is open to anyone who has the desire to be the “heartbeat” of a song or a part of a community drumming event or drum circle. Drumming is one of the most natural, creative vehicles of expression, and once the fire takes hold of a person and his or her drum (or drum set), the groove can be unstoppable. So, what takes a drummer from rocking out into drumming stardom (even among friends and family)? What makes a gr …

If you’re a seasoned drummer, you’re probably familiar with drum fills, and maybe you’ve even created a few fills of your own. If you’re a new drummer, you might be interested in learning how to play or create a drum fill, or you might not be sure what a drum fill is (and that’s ok!). A drum fill is basically a short rhythmic sound that fills the breaks between phrases of a melody to keep the listener’s attention. Drum fills are also great for getting in a mini-solo.Whether you’re a seasoned or …

Playing drums is one of the greatest ways to express creativity, reduce stress and anxiety and just discover the rhythm inside us all. A drum set gives a drummer the ability to fine-tune the rhythmic experience by adding different drums, kick pedals, cymbals and percussion accessories, allowing for a wide range of sounds and tones that increase the impact of the beat or songs being played. Of course, there are still more ways to fine-tune a drummer’s sound while not continuing to purchase more …

For musicians, the ability to hear is just as essential as the ability to play an instrument. But imagine that one day your hearing vanishes, leaving you unable to hear the sound of your hand or drum stick hitting the head of a drum - a sound that was once deafening. Colorado drummer Doug Lagasse didn’t have to imagine it.Lagasse lost his ability to hear 10 years ago as a side effect of medicine he was taking for cystic fibrosis treatment. As a musician, losing his hearing was hard because he co …

Lamoine, Maine may be a small town, but its rich with the sounds of West African culture thanks to professional percussionist Mike Bennett. The seasoned percussionist expanded his drumming repertoire to include world drumming in 1999, when he made his first trip to Gambia. By studying the djembe, Bennett learned that West African music uses rhythm in a different way than other genres. In fact, learning the unique rhythms of West African music helped him enhance his own playing. Returning to …