X8 Drums Blog

The Conga, a dance involving a single-file chain of people roving around a room to the beat of a Conga drum and accompanying instruments, is an Afro-Cuban dance brought over by slaves and may be most famous for its appearance in movies, wedding receptions or its performance by Desi Arnaz in the 1950's. The Conga may have been a way for slaves to celebrate victories in their daily lives or surrepticiously express their anger, and has become a staple of parties, festivals a …

Didgeridoo, possibly the oldest instrument known to man, originated in northern Australia through the Indigenous population of the Northern Territory. The instrument has been played for over 1500 years and has recently become a prominent feature in alternative healing communities because of its ability to help with sleep disorders and other health issues. The low frequency sounds and actual vibrations produced by the didgeridoo are thought to encourage the healing of tissue …

The Gahu Drum Ensemble, led by drummer T.R. McKotch, is working on releasing an album, as well as performing, teaching and bringing the world the spirit of Africa and Haiti through traditional rhythms such as Fanga, Kpanlogo and Luba. According Gahu Drum Ensemble, "it is our aim to encourage participation in, and enjoyment of, the rhythms and dances of West Africa, the Caribbean, and the African Diaspora, whether in a workshop or performance." The Gahu Drum Ensemble use …

The tremendous successes of Stomp and Blue Man Group have been inspirational to many who wish to create their own instruments out of ordinary household items. Creating musical instruments from boxes, cans or other throw away materials is a great activity for children, but creating “real” musical instruments from items like buckets, trash cans, garden hoses, water bottles and boxes can take the skill and patience of an adult. The results, however, are well worth the effort a …

A drum tells the story of the culture from which it evolved, uniting an area or region and telling its own story of the triumphs experienced throughout history. The drums of Africa have some of the most interesting and unique designs and history that have stood the test of time, while evolving into more modern instruments that encouraged the diversification of music and rhythm heard today. Djembe drums may be the most well-known hand drums today, due in part to …

If you have ever experienced the unique sound of the Shekere, you know it is more than a fancy rattle. The sounds it can produce through shaking and striking its varied surfaces bring more than a shaker sound to music, but can also give a unique depth to the rhythms and sounds produced by other percussion instruments. The Shekere is traditionally made from a hollow gourd, also called calabash, and has been traditionally used as a vessel for water in Africa, but can n …

Bongos are one of the most versatile and portable hand drums available today. These percussion instruments are played by professionals and amateurs, on the road, in a drum circle, on stage or even in the home. As versatile and adaptive as these drums are, there are basic steps that should be taken to ensure the longevity of the bongos and quality of sound. In general, a new set of bongos will not come pre-tuned due to shipping and the time spent on shelves, as well as var …

It has been five years since Paul Simon released his last album, but he has not even begun to think of retirement. At 69, Simon's career is expansive, encompassing 12 albums, including his latest, So Beautiful or So What, which has been described as, “his best album since 1990's. The Rhythm of the Saints sums up much of what makes Simon great," by Rolling Stone. Using a variety of instruments and his own preference for vintage-styled sound, Simon has produced an …

When it comes to trying out new ideas for entertainment, fun or strengthening community ties, a drum circle can be a multi-faceted exercise in the whole body-mind experience provided by music and rhythm. With a wealth of information and research available about how drumming benefits the mental and physical health of the drummer and audience, a drum circle can be a natural step on the road to self-awareness and the healing of various aspects of a person. Joining a dru …

This pattern is going to help differentiate your sounds which will develop the important skill of learning to "speak" on the djembe. The idea of this rhythm is for you to learn to how to play all the different notes in one sequence. The rhythm isn't as important as distinguishing your sound. So your tone sounds completely different than your slap (or pop) and your bass is going to sound just like a bass and your touch will be very quiet. In this video: Tone, Slap, Bass & T …