tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81082649610686771092010-02-06T08:51:39.626-08:00Join hand drum enthusiasts around the world in conversation about percussion. Get listed in our percussionist directory, become our friend on MySpace, talk back on our blog and enjoy our hand drumming resources.Kristinnoreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-52864320404452205322010-02-06T07:29:00.000-08:002010-02-06T08:51:39.651-08:00

During a time when music and arts classes are threatened nationwide, the NAMM Foundation continues its effort to recognize schools across the United States with the strongest music education programs The NAMM Foundation invites schools and communities that support music education to participate in the 2010 Best Communities for Music Education (BCME). Established in 1998, BCME recognizes and

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-8702951699339556152010-01-28T07:45:00.000-08:002010-01-28T07:45:06.271-08:00

X8 Drums is proud to announce that they have joined MENC as a corporate member, thereby continuing their commitment to the promotion of music as a daily part of every student's education. From the time our children are babies, they respond to the sounds of music. We play sing-a-long games with our infants, and music plays a big part in the makeup of their playthings. As children grow and

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-37875397447387892922010-01-26T05:46:00.000-08:002010-01-26T07:52:00.478-08:00

The only place these djembes are light is on your pocket book. The new Toca line of lightweight hand drums feature authentic Afro-Cuban sound coupled with indisputable value: It's a match made in hand drum heaven. With the Toca Lightweight Hand Drums you receive an excellent combination of value, looks, and sound quality. Toca Hand Drums feature sculpted shells in a variety of hand painted

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-26245492423513803452010-01-22T16:08:00.000-08:002010-01-22T16:08:16.410-08:00

No one could deny the statement that music makes the world go around. We listen to it during exercise; we attend concerts and other events where music is a focal point. It blares behind us during almost every TV show, occasion, or during our workday. Without music, the world would seem completely quiet, despite the noise of our everyday lives. Every three years, the International Music Products

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-61472196311331995152010-01-11T12:34:00.000-08:002010-01-11T12:42:17.007-08:00

The importance of purchasing your drum from reputable sources When participating in a drum circle, you might expect to be carried away by the beat of the drums and feel invigorated after. What you wouldn't expect is to develop a case of anthrax. The drum community was startled after recent reports surfaced that a woman participating in a New Hampshire drum circle developed a case of

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-60383225045321641432010-01-11T06:52:00.000-08:002010-01-11T06:52:21.043-08:00

Check out great deals on musical gear from X8 Drums, Latin Percussion and Toca. All sale prices are good until 3/31/10 or while supplies last.X8 Rhythm Rainstick Sale Price: $21.99  Toca Synergy Pro Africa Style Djembe Sale Price: $154.99  Toca Antique Gold Mechanically Tuned Djembe w/ Bag, 14 Inch Sale Price: $169.99   Ruby Pro African Djembe™, 13-14" Head w/Bag Sale Price: $274.55 Deep Carve

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-73372115149105879552009-12-13T17:38:00.000-08:002009-12-13T17:38:43.037-08:00

Ever pondered on playing an instrument like the djembe or a guitar, but thought it was not worth your time? Think again! Music is beneficial to everybody. There are thousands of reasons to convince yourself that playing an instrument is worth every minute. Several studies show that playing music helps develop the cognitive skills of children and adolescents. It also instills self-discipline,

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-36200524077474140972009-11-30T16:06:00.000-08:002009-11-30T16:06:34.921-08:00

For some companies, the illegal harvesting of wood from protected forests is a big business. Getting a low cost deal on a lot of wood means a huge profit in the pocket of the company, and no one in corporate America is going to argue about profits after the free fall that was and still is resulting from the economic recession. In this light, it's not surprising that instrument manufacturers are

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-44185587263553495502009-11-23T14:04:00.000-08:002009-11-23T14:51:41.050-08:00

Ruby Pro African Djembe™, 13-14" Head The Ruby Pro African djembe drum is a professional level djembe that sounds absolutely fantastic and is built to perfection. Made with the utmost care and attention to detail this Pro African djembe drum is a hand-carved beauty that is not only stunning but a true work of art. It just doesn’t get any better than this!

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-11891094232023979662009-11-19T14:22:00.000-08:002009-11-19T14:22:44.137-08:00

Federal agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local police today seized wood, guitars, computers and boxes of files from Gibson Guitar's Massman Road manufacturing facility. Gibson is being investigated for the illegal importation of Madagascar wood. Importing illegal wood is no joke! With the recent passage of the Lacey Act importers bringing wood into this country that hasn't

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-83738373028275846222009-11-19T14:08:00.000-08:002009-11-19T14:08:17.346-08:00

Very few instruments can make the hair on your arms stand up in the way that a didgeridoo can. Long and low tones escape the base as you blow into it, creating a musical sound that can't be replicated with any other pipe. Although not as popular in modern times, the didgeridoo is the world's oldest wind instrument. A natural wooden trumpet that was traditionally fashioned from eucalyptus trees

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-88520120078968533762009-11-15T11:55:00.000-08:002009-11-17T09:47:53.123-08:00

A drum circle is an assembly of individuals gathered into a circle to play percussion instruments like hand drums. Drum circles create beautiful, spontaneous music together that empowers the participants to facilitate society, foster spirit, and encourage well-being. Drum circles offer recreation, emotional relief, and spiritual manifestation through social interaction. Drum circles usually

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-85665392483833645312009-11-05T12:45:00.000-08:002009-11-05T12:45:48.551-08:00

Have you ever walked past a store with thumping music, so loud that it vibrates your eardrums while you are still on the sidewalk? We all love to listen to music, some of us with the volume set to 10, but are you actually enticed to go into the store? 9 times out of 10, a person who could be a potential customer simply walks away because of the music inside. If you've ever asked yourself why we

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-1742641093713059102009-11-03T05:34:00.000-08:002009-11-03T05:41:47.142-08:00

Every January 1st, people around the world make New Year's resolutions. 9 times out of 10, that resolution is to lose weight. Whether you are in tip top shape and want to trim down an extra pound or two, or you are 50 pounds overweight and want to create a whole new you, your goal to lose weight is the beginning of a journey toward better health. Unfortunately, the best way to lose weight is

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-8238452199953875422009-10-19T12:55:00.000-07:002009-10-19T13:10:00.945-07:00

Check out great deals on musical gear from Latin Percussion and Toca. All sale prices are good until 12/31/09 or while supplies last. Toca Wood Cajon, Bordeaux Sale Price: $179.99  Toca Wood Cajon, Honey or Green Burst Sale Price: $179.99  Toca Wood Cajon, Burl Oak Sale Price: $179.99 CP Wood Bongos, Natural or Dark Finish Sale Price: $43.99  CP Wood Conga Set, Natural Wood Finish Sale Price:

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-30642295350420325972009-10-17T18:25:00.000-07:002009-12-02T10:20:05.871-08:00

Percentages of sales for certain products at X8 Drums go to several charitable causes in Africa. Congo Orphanage Three different orphanages in Congo receive support to pay for improvements to the facilities and for food. Senegal Street Kids Financial support helps to establish and maintain a home for street kids in Dakar Senegal. This money pays for rent, repairs to the building, labor costs

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-54557942566126651062009-09-29T11:03:00.000-07:002009-09-29T11:03:52.628-07:00

Before you head to the airport with your djembe, you should consider the details of traveling with an instrument. Djembes are large, oddly-shaped, and heavy, and can easily hold up your trip. 1. Read Before You Leave Though you may be anxious to book your flight, check the airline regulations regarding baggage. Packing both a suitcase and a djembe will typically earn you extra baggage fees, and

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-84180874036395042192009-09-24T06:04:00.000-07:002009-09-24T06:33:43.038-07:00

When you play your drum, be it djembe, congas or a kit, how tempting is it to slouch over? Resist the urge! Proper posture is the first step to playing with the professionals. After the news of Phil Collins' retirement from drumming as a consequence of back surgery to repair dislocated vertebrae injured due to poor posture while playing on the last Genesis tour, drummers are looking for ways to

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-33168874549025802442009-09-22T17:29:00.000-07:002009-09-22T17:29:08.794-07:00

The Lacey Act states that it is a 'federal criminal offense to import, sell or hold any product containing wood or plant material that was harvested in violation of any law in its country of origin'. The Act affects all imports of pianos and stringed instruments such as guitars or pianos. It's a sad fact in our society that we all simply assume we are going to have unlimited global resources for

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-30559874633839244482009-09-18T05:49:00.000-07:002009-09-18T06:02:47.323-07:00

This week, Phil Collins, legendary drummer from both Genesis and his own solo career, announced that, as a consequence of surgery to fix damaged vertebrae that became dislocated during his tenure as a musician, he will never play the drums or piano again. Collins is incapable of holding drum sticks or curving his hands to play the piano, because the pain is too great. The operation, although

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-6397851312933677952009-09-15T18:43:00.000-07:002009-09-16T10:15:04.594-07:00

As a young child, your first foray into art was when your parents put a single crayon into your hand. Pulling out pads of paper, you drew dogs, cats, and your family surrounded by a beaming sun and endless blue sky. Your first musical instrument could have been a butter container and a spoon, an activity put together by your mother to entertain you for hours. Whether a child is creating their

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-15951273301498316962009-09-14T09:02:00.000-07:002009-09-21T09:52:33.206-07:00

This post is by guest blogger, Jim Greiner, an internationally renowned, award-winning percussionist, community drumming leader and educator. Group drumming is one of humanities oldest, and most universal, ways to energize and focus groups, build community bonds, enhance communication skills and to celebrate important events. During the two years I spent drumming in Africa, I was profoundly

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-87525989454047450492009-09-14T08:29:00.000-07:002009-09-14T08:29:41.432-07:00

Last week, X8 Drums teamed up with Art House Productions to host the first ever "JC Fridays Drum Circle" as one of the community events during the fall season of Jersey City's JC Fridays. JC Fridays is a citywide celebration of free arts and culture programs in Jersey City, New Jersey. JC Fridays is held at the start of every season, offering an exciting lineup of events open to the public. The

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-24600692731158399092009-09-10T17:08:00.000-07:002009-09-10T17:08:38.565-07:00

With funding to education being cut nationwide, most schools are focusing on reading and math as a consequence of the Center on Education's policy, No Child Left Behind. Because funding overall is limited, money that had previously supported programs in physical education, the arts, and other areas of study is disappearing in favor of state-tested subjects. Student on bongos learns the benefits

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8108264961068677109.post-18766965314189198032009-09-08T08:08:00.000-07:002009-09-08T08:27:29.967-07:00

Ask a person what regret they have from their childhood is, and very often they will say that they wish they had learned to play an instrument. Whether it was the guitar, piano, violin, or drums, a child's innate ability to learn music and excel as they grow cannot be matched by an adult attempting to learn a similar instrument. Musical talent is not something that everyone has, but with

Kristinnoreply@blogger.com1