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Bembe Drum Circle Ensemble with Bill Matthews

Posted by X8 DRUMS Thursday, February 25, 2010 0 Comments
Check out this great groove to try at your next drum circle. This video is lead by our friend Bill Matthews. His full instructional "How to Play the Djembe DVD" is available now.



The Bembe rhythm is from the Afro-Cuban genre that is now commonly heard in modern Latin, Jazz and Rock music. Bembe Shango honors Shango, the Yoruban Orisha of Lightning, Thunder, Drums, Dancing and Yams. Musically, this rhythm is exciting because it can be played at many different tempos and still have a great sound.

Instruments Used above:

Djembe
Ashiko
African Double Bells

Bembe Shango history from songtrellis.com

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Become part of the Magic

Posted by X8 DRUMS Thursday, July 9, 2009 2 Comments

Many seeking their own hand drum or djembe have experienced the magic of drumming and drum circles. While the djembe has been used for thousands of years in celebrations, rituals and ceremonies, the modern day healing powers of this drum are touching and connecting new people around the world every single day.

Studies now show that hand drumming helps to relax the tense, energize the tired and heal the emotionally wounded.

In working with holistic practitioners, certified drum circle facilitators and yoga instructors over the years, we know that the magic of drumming is real and it is powerful.

Many of our clients are people that work hard at their jobs, typically in an office envirnment.

Imagine hard days at the office... 9 to 5 day in and day out. You feel stress, frustration and need for a healthy outlet outside of a happy hour or a spin class at the gym. You want something more, a way to express yourself and connect with others in a positive environment. You walk by a drum circle and see the relaxed faces of the participants and someone offers you a drum. You look to the leader of the circle, he nods to invite you in and you begin to drum. You drum, slow at first, and then you feel it. Your mind relaxes and you roll with the beat. Thirty minutes later, the beat slows and comes to an end. You look up feeling that only five minutes have passed, ignited with a new and light energy. The release of stress carries over to the next day and your work week passes with ease having a new outlet for the stress. You continue your participation in the circle, improving your skills, meeting new people and practicing new life habits that lead to happier and healthier days.

We invite you to share your stories where you have experienced the magic in the comments area below.

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There have numerous studies on the effects of music on the fetus during pregnancy. Parents wonder if there is a prescription for the right amount of music or the perfect musical genre that will make their baby smarter or more musical. All studies so far are inconclusive however, it is a known fact that including music during the pregnancy period is a great way to develop a prenatal bond.

Although your baby's ears don't completely develop until the fifth month, fetuses respond to noise before that, which has led some researchers to believe there's more to hearing that the ears.

While there is no scientific evidence stating that exposure to music will increase the level of intelligence for a fetus, a study conducted in the UK has proven that music will boost memory. Babies that listen to music in the uterus respond to the music played for up to a year after birth. This shows that the fetus is capable of creating memories will still in the womb.

Using prenatal stimulation helps to connect you to your child before birth, so that the baby will be able to communicate. Playing familiar and soothing sounds, or even singing a simple lullaby will put your child at ease, and provide a grounding point after birth.

The protective amniotic fluid around your fetus conducts sound well, so your baby is able to clearly hear music and voices. Turning up the sound too much can disturb the fetus, so try leaving your stereo as background noise, or turning the volume down on the headphones if you're planning on placing them on the belly. It's not quite the period for restless nights; try not to over stimulate the baby with too much noise.

When choosing music for your baby to listen to, keep in mind that repetition is key. Any song that excites you is a great choice for your baby, as the hormones release from your happiness have a positive impact on the fetus. Beethoven and Mozart are always favorites, but you can listen to anything from Madonna to traditional African drum music, as long as there's enough repetition to increase the chances of memory production. Mixing up the types of music helps diversify your baby's tastes, and activates different areas of the brain. Baby Einstein offers a line of classical music CDs that you and your baby can enjoy together.

Singing a lullaby to your baby is a great opportunity to make a lasting connection. The fetus has an incredible ability to discern your state of mind, and reacts based on your mood.

Additionally, the baby will learn to recognize your voice, which will increase your bond after birth. It has been proven that babies can recognize their parent's voices, which creates a sense of familiarity postpartum. Babies that have been sung to in utero frequently sleep easier than babies with no prenatal stimulation, as the parent's voice is comforting.

Use moderation when stimulating your baby. Incorporating too much music can overstimulate the fetus. Pay attention to your own feelings.

If you have grown old of a song that you've played repeatedly, it is likely that your baby is bored with it as well. Make connecting emotionally with your fetus a special time for you and your family.

Sounds of a traditional drumbeat can be soothing for a mother and her baby. X8 Drums offers a collection of drum rhythm cd's ranging from beats of the cajon drum, conga drum, bongos and the djembe.

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Djembe Solo Performances

Posted by X8 DRUMS Tuesday, June 2, 2009 0 Comments
Great collection of djembe solo performances on X8 Djembes. Enjoy!


Dion Rivers performs Drum Call rhythm on the X8 Drums Ivory Elite Pro African Djembe Drum.


Awesome djembe demonstration. Brotha Sean wails on an X8 Drums Pro Stallion Djembe.


Solo djembe performance by Raphael Torn on 10" Pro Djembe from X8 Drums.

X8 Drums specializes in professional hand carved wooden shell djembe drums that are manufactured using legally certified timber that is environmentally sustainable. Call 1-800-771-9645 or visit us online at www.X8drums.com.

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Drum Call African Rhythm on Djembe - Dion Rivers

Posted by X8 DRUMS Wednesday, April 22, 2009 0 Comments
Awesome djembe demonstration of Drum Call African Rhythm an X8 Ivory Elite Pro Djembe Drum. Performed by NY/NJ percussionist and instructor, Dion Rivers.




Djembe drum used in this recording session is an Ivory Elite Pro African Djembe w/ Pro Gig Bag by X8 Drums.

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KuKu African Rhythm on Djembe - Brotha Sean

Posted by X8 DRUMS Wednesday, January 23, 2008 0 Comments
Awesome djembe demonstration of KuKu African Rhythm an X8 Drums Pro Stallion Djembe. Performed by NYC professional percussionist and instructor, Brotha Sean.



Djembe drum used in this recording session is a 14" Stallion Pro Djembe by X8 Drums.

Djembe Rhythm Library

1. KuKu

2. Sokou

3. Sorsornet

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NYC percussionist Brotha Sean performs Sokou rhythm on djembe. (Also known as Soko, Suku, Sökö, etc). Eddie Jones on djun djun.



Djembe drum used in this recording session is a 14" World Tribal Pro Djembe by X8 Drums.


Djembe Rhythm Library

1. KuKu

2. Sokou

3. Sorsornet

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Djembe Music, Rhythm Samples & Exercises

Posted by X8 DRUMS Friday, June 1, 2007 0 Comments
Use the djembe rhythm video and audio tracks below to practice your hand drumming skills before your next performance. All djembe music samples are free, courtesy of X8 Drums. More coming VERY soon! Bookmark this page.

Djembe Rhythm Library

5. Sounds from a Drum Circle (below)

6. Drum Call

7. Djembe Ensemble CD



TRACK 1: Sounds from a Drum Circle.
Play along and find your own rhythm to add to this session or mimic one of the patterns in the circle. Either way, you'll have new grooves to play at your next performance. Each track below is performed by pro djembe player and instructor, Raphael Torn.




The instruments included in this drum circle track are:
1. 13" Pro Djembe, Waring Ridge (foundation rhythm)2. 10" Ruby Pro Djembe & 10" Matahari Pro Djembe (played together, one with left hand and one with right)


3. Cowbell / 4. Shakere5. 13" Pro Djembe, Ruby (lead line)




TRACK 3: Sounds from drum circle without the Lead Line
After listening to Track 1, create your own lead line by playing along with the same groove, minus the recorded lead line.



TRACK 4: Djembe Solo
Join this track to create rhythm patterns to support a drum solo. The drum in this track is a Ruby Pro 13" Djembe.





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