X8 Drums Blog

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 …

The New X8 Vintage Series Handpans features a two-tone finish (key dimples are gold, pan is silver), a double layer ding dome for longer-lasting tuning and a fastener on the "belt" with X8 logo.The unique, ethereal and mysterious sound of the steel handpan captivates everyone. The soothing tones take the listener on a spiritual journey. We're seeing this instrument used in modern, EDM, sound therapy and as musical accompaniment for spiritual activities such as yoga or meditation.X8 Pro Handpans …

The new X8 Play-Along Series is being produced for our musician friends wanting a fresh way to work on their technique and ideas. We know that without fresh motivation, it can be hard to keep practicing alone while waiting for "social distancing" to become a distant memory! Our first Series features the African Rhythm, "Baga Gine."  Each track in this series is based on the Baga Gine rhythm at a set tempo (110 bpm) that, by design, leaves space for you to try out lead lines or suppor …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

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 …