X8 Drums Blog

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 …

The didgeridoo is an instrument that dates back over 40,000 years and was developed by indigenous Australians of northern Australia. It was typically played only by aboriginal men during ceremonial gatherings and celebrations and is an important part of the indigenous Australian culture. The instrument is known for its beautiful and richly harmonic sound and the mastery of “circular breathing” that is needed to play the instrument properly. While the didgeridoo’s sound may seem …

First let me say this. To me, drum circles are about creating community and sharing. It is not about being the star or about ego. It is about a group shared experience. Although there are no clearly defined rules of how to act or behave at a drum circle, there is a proper etiquette or working order that I have discovered in my travels and journeys all around the world over the past 35 years. I am going to suggest and explain some guidelines. If these guidelines are maint …

So you've been turned, converted into a fan, and now a connoisseur of the warm sounds of the cajon - the delightfully storied instrument that became the most widely utilized percussive tool in Peru. Its origins lie in the dark days of the 18th century, when the slave trade was responsible for the forced expatriation of labor from Africa to plantations in the New World of the North and South American continents.Newer incarnations of the humble cajon have added a range of distinctive …