X8 Drums Blog

Busking is a pretty familiar sight around the globe. It can be a representation of the need to “busk a move” when the music hits, or, a way to earn a little extra cash. Some people busk because they just can’t help but feel the music, or love the adoring crowds that street performing (especially drumming!) can pull together. Whatever your reasons are for jumping into busking, there are always good and bad ways to go about it. First, if you’re going to be a street drummer or a busker, you n …

Drummers have to contend with a lot of aches and pains in the process of creating beautiful rhythm. While we may appear to have unlimited energy and a spirit of folly at times, that doesn’t mean we don’t have the same feelings as the rest of the world – especially when it comes to our bodies. Drumming is hard work, and even if we’re the drummer who sits behind a drum set, we can feel the burn in our legs, arms, neck and back. But, this isn’t about those drummers who sit… thi …

Drum circles are commonly seen on beaches and in parks: public places where the sound of djembes, didgeridoos, shakers and hand-clapping accent perfectly the dancing, chanting and joy felt by anyone willing to pitch in their “voice.” These same people who attend drum circles are unique; in a sense they are just as different as the reasons for holding these events. That’s why when there is a special call to join together in the spirit of “Seeing Deeper,” the surprise instead becom …

As drummers, we can find amazing rhythm in the most mundane of days. The beat runs deep in our souls, and just as amazing as it is to master a technique or develop our own passion for drumming, it is even more incredible to discover another drummer with the same fire in their eyes. American Idol isn’t known for showcasing the full range of musical talents of its contestants. The show began as a talent contest for vocalists, and in the years that it has been running, more instruments ha …

Everyone loves a good cajon drum. They’re like the ninjas of the drum world, really. Sneaky little boxes that are full of rhythmic surprises for all. Cajon drums have a long-standing history in Afro-Peruvian music and are especially present in Flamenco… but, they are also pretty great in all other types of music, too. That’s how they keep up their ninja skills, they just sneak up on the beat in all their boxy glory, and as soon as you try to get a better look, they pretend to be ordinary ( …

As fans of Middle Eastern music and the belly dancers who inspire the “doum-tekka-tek” in our hearts, we’ve often been asked what kind of drum is best to learn these nuanced rhythms and help keep the shimmies going long into the night. The answer? The doumbek drum. The other answer? The darbuka drum. There are never simple answers in drumming. Ever. Darbuka drums, doumbek drums and even djembe drums are all very similar instruments in terms of the construction, shape and materials …

Drumming is a lot more than just picking up two drum sticks and hitting a drum. There are nuances to drumming that the rest of the world knows little about, which lend to the stereotype of a drummer being, well, not entirely vital to the overall epic nature of music. When you got your first drum, or discovered your love of drumming and rhythm, you probably did just pick up a pair of drum sticks and start hitting a drum. It’s a pretty natural action, no different than picking up a guit …

There’s a certain allure to drumming that is best captured in the audio or video of a song, but is somehow lost in many of the photos of a drummer completely engaged in his or her passion for rhythm. Much like any other physical activity, the still shots of a drummer can reveal some unique expressions and faces, all of which can be taken out of context and shown as the next great Internet meme (or worse). Very few of us are stock photography models sitting behind a drum set or with a djemb …

What do drummers love doing? We love to drum. We drum on our drums, percussion instruments, desks, steering wheels, and sometimes, on ourselves. Look at Kevin Bacon right there - he's playing a tambourine!  But, we have to sadly admit that drumming doesn’t always allow us to spend quality time with our family and friends. Or, if we’re sick or injured, we can’t necessarily pick up the sticks or grab our djembe and rock out. We’re only human, and once in a while, we have to put a …

We all know that shot of energy from a couple of Twinkies or a super-double-crunk-mocha-latte-with-a-twist-of-B-12 are two ways for any drummer to keep up the momentum during the hours of practice required to be great, up on a stage or in the throes of a drum circle. But, there is also a lot of talk about how drumming can be just as much exercise as running a marathon. Hours of drumming has an impact on your body – you sweat, you burn calories, you thirst and you hunger. Marathon r …