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The Leader in Djembe, Cajon & Hand Drums for Beginners and Pros.

X8 Drums Blog

What to Expect at a Drum Circle

What to Expect at a Drum Circle

You’re heading to your first drum circle, excited that you’ve finally found your “tribe” of people and a place to express your creativity and spirituality through the magic of drumming. It is an exciting time, and if you have not ever been to a drum circle, you may not know exactly what to expect from the experience. Just like drums and people, drum circles vary in many ways. There are different types of drum circles, each with its own set of guidelines and purposes, so be …
17th Mar 2022
Dear Santa, I Want a Djembe: The Hand Percussion Shopping Countdown Begins

Dear Santa, I Want a Djembe: The Hand Percussion Shopping Countdown Begins

The second week of November has been designated, “Dear Santa Letter Week,” by the people who plan our calendars and remind us that the holiday season is happening right now… as if the holiday decorations in stores after Labor Day weren’t enough of a clue. There is a bright side to this week of gluttony, though; even if you’re not a Christmas person, this is a really good time to get your priorities straight and demand what you want out of life – especially the drums and hand percussion ins …
21st Nov 2021
So, You Want to Buy Your Kid a Drum?

So, You Want to Buy Your Kid a Drum?

As adults, we want to be sure that our children are given the best tools for success in life. We watch, eagerly (and, maybe cringe a little) as those little minds and bodies develop their own interests, opinions and voices that are such important parts of the personalities we have pledged to love, no matter what. Then, one day, those little hands start slapping or tapping on a bucket, a pot or even on our own drums. In that moment, we realize, life has come full circle. My kid is …
20th Nov 2021

Gifts for Drummers? Good Things Come in Small Packages!

Even the most organized gift-giver runs into problems during the holidays, right before a birthday or even before a wedding or other milestone that requires a present. Usually, that problem is forgetting to get a gift, or that need to have one more item to make the experience of giving just that much more incredible. Now, imagine you need one of those gifts for a drummer. A drummer who probably already has everything he or she wants, because picking drums and percussion instrument …
20th Nov 2021

Holiday Stress: We Know Why the 10 Drummers Drummed

There’s drumming for the love of music and rhythm, and then drumming for education or perfecting our craft. In truth, drummers have a million reasons for drumming and drumming has many mysteries to the non-drummer, but, there probably isn’t a person out there who can’t see how drumming is great for stressful times. Did you get all of that? We’re a little stressed with all of this holiday business going on. Stress is probably one of the most common reasons we reach for our …
20th Nov 2021

Why a Kalimba is Not an Mbira

“Kalimba” and “mbira” are often used interchangeably to describe a kalimba or an mbira. It can be pretty confusing when learning about either of these African instruments and even more confusing when you’re trying to buy one. To ensure you have the best experience when shopping for your new kalimba at X8 Drums, we thought we’d talk a bit about why a kalimba is not an mbira.The kalimba looks pretty similar to an mbira, and both instruments consist of a wooden soundboard with steel keys that pl …
20th Nov 2021 Kaitlin Meilert
Djembe Rhythm Library and Lessons

Djembe Rhythm Library and Lessons

We're here to support players of all experience levels with the resources needed to advance their skills and keep up with the maintenance of their drums! We offer a plethora of Djembe Lessons, Re-heading/Tuning how-tos, Rhythm Libraries, and Play-Along tracks to guide you through practices and gain new techniques!Follow our links below and get started playing! Be sure to hit that 'Like and Subscribe'!Djembe Rhythm Library: https://www.x8drums.com/.../djembe-rhythm-samples-and...Djembe Buying G …
20th Nov 2021 MollyRose

Drum Fashion: How to Dress Up your Djembe

Not that we would ever encourage “drum envy,” but, have you ever noticed that some djembe drums have a little more going on than the rest? We’re not talking the hand-carved djembes (although, those are pretty great) or the djembes that come directly from Mali, Senegal or Ivory Coast.We mean the djembe drums that include a bit more style and flair than the rest… the djembes that seem to know they’re the boss of all drums, the warrior-styled djembe drums that take no prisoners.The djembe drum …
10th Sep 2019 Kristin Stancato
"Didge Man" Omid Aski Laridjani Shares His Story of the Didgeridoo

"Didge Man" Omid Aski Laridjani Shares His Story of the Didgeridoo

"Didge Man" Omid Aski Laridjani has spent time with the Yolngu tribe in northern Austraila learning about and experiencing the ancient culture of the didgeridoo. In this video he shares his connection to this instrument. Video Highlights: The didgeridoo is a wind instrument that comes from the northern territory of Australia. It is a powerful tool, an invitation to learn your instinctive language. The language of energy. What do I mean by that? When you see trees dance to the wind …
9th Sep 2019
Which Drum should I Choose - Traditional or Synthetic?

Which Drum should I Choose - Traditional or Synthetic?

With so many beautiful drums to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. In this guide we get you past the first hurdle of djembe buying, which is deciding whether to go with a traditional rope tuned djembe or a mechanically tuned version. “Traditional” Djembe (JEM-bay) The “traditional” djembe has a roped tuning system and a leather head and a wooden body. The head (the membrane that’s played) is made of goat skin as it has been for hundreds of years. A system o …
9th Sep 2019 Solomon Masala