X8 Drums Blog

We all have a rhythm, we all have a beat that drives us, inspires us or leads us into a more fun, harmonious or playful state of mind. Feeling “in sync” with our surroundings gives us a more relaxed approach to life, and the ability to get into that groove is a function of rhythm and drumming. Yet, few people look at a drummer and think, “wow, she’s so chill!” It is a lot more common to think of drummers as spazzy, or even (sadly) less intelligent than other instrumentalists because of …

Tambourines are back, with a vengeance. These seemingly simple percussion instruments are finding their way into the studio, the stage, into classrooms and even drum circles. The rising popularity of the tambourine is inspiring musicians everywhere to add the jingle of zils and the hip-tapping fun of these frame drums into every composition, performance and drum jam. This is the year of the tambourine, and we couldn’t be more excited! Ok, tambourines never really went away. In fact, ta …

Celebrations and ceremonies are never as monumental as those that surround the joining of two lives together for “happily ever after.” Today, we see all types of wedding ceremonies and receptions, with each event reflecting the unique taste and style of the couple pledging eternal love to each other. Some people choreograph special dances, while others may choose to walk barefoot on a beach or even skydive from above. There are as many different choices for unique weddings these days as …

If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a thousand times: drummers are not musicians and pianists are not percussionists. It seems that even in music, an experience that is based on the ability of people and instruments to work together to weave together the magic of song, there are always going to be those hard-hitting debates where feelings get hurt and someone stomps off in anger. The argument has been around forever, and it seems that there is always a drummer or percussionist in the …

Drumming is a controversial profession, passion or hobby, with never-ending debates over the best kind of drums, drumming style and who should make the “ Top 10 Drummers of All Time” lists across the Internet. Because drummers are unique, polyrhythmic thinkers, there is no doubt that when a dozen drummers are asked a question, there will be a dozen different answers. The diversity that is innate to each drummer could be why there are so many different styles and types of cymbals out t …

A drum circle participant, facilitator or audience understands the power that rhythm and drumming brings to us all. With the slapping of djembe drums, the shaking of maracas and the beat of a cajon, a drum circle becomes more than a way to share a love of drums, percussion and dancing: it becomes a uniting experience for all to behold. It is no secret why people love drum circles, or why more and more “outsiders” are trying out the experience, only to be hooked. Many of us look forward t …

As anyone who has ever tried it knows, hitting things with sticks is a great stress reliever.Any child who has ever started banging on pots and pans knows just how much fun drumming can be. It’s no wonder so many children find themselves drawn to the drums. Through learning to play the drums kids learn healthy ways to express themselves as well as self-confidence. Many young people today find themselves struggling with their self-esteem. Many children seek to define a sense of self while …

Finding the right path to self-discovery, wellness and creative expression can be lead by the beat of the drums. Drumming is not only a musical hobby, or professional passion, but, it helps engage the mind in ways that prevent the day-to-day stresses of life from interfering with what is really important: the beat. Particularly for hand drummers, this experience can be found throughout the year at drumming retreats, in which techniques are learned or refined, or drummers are encouraged to …

Learning to drum requires motivation and determination that goes beyond the rudiments and drum rolls most people expect. A rich history of drumming can be found in cultures around the world, as evidenced by the variety of drums that have evolved from Africa, Latin America and other regions. It is these drums and the rhythms of the world that bring us all together, closely uniting us through the experience of music and celebration. Learning about the rhythms, the purpose behind the beat …

Usually when people think of percussion instruments they think of hand percussion instruments. What people often forget is that there are other ways to make music than just with your hands. In fact, there’s a whole variety of percussion instruments that can be played with the feet. These percussion instruments include foot drums, foot tambourines, foot cabasas, and  ankle bells or foot rattles. A foot drum is a drum that is played either with the bare foot or with a floor …