X8 Drums Blog

Claves are one of the most basic instruments that can be found in almost all cultures. However, the two wooden sticks or dowels, struck together, are mostly attributed to the Cuba and its music. The rhythmic Rumba Claves and Son Claves are the backbone of Latin American music today, including Salsa and Mambo, and were named for the instrument used to create the rhythms. Since the introduction of African slaves into Cuba during the 16th and 17th centuries, much of Cuba …

The Kalimba is a modern evolution of the African thumb piano, “mbira,” that dates back over 800 years. Its name literally means, “little music,” deriving from the size of the instrument and the soft tones it produces. Kalimbas are known by many different names, depending on the country or region in which they are found. Zambia’s kalimba is called, “Luvale,” while Zimbabwe uses the terms, “Karimba,” “Mbira,” or “Matapee.” Other names include, “Sansa,” “Marimbula,” or just …

With the holiday season in full swing, maybe you are one of the lucky people who received a drum wrapped in brightly colored paper and tied with a sparkly bow. Drums are the perfect gift for the person who has everything, a musically-oriented healer, or a percussion buff who wants to add new sound to their repertoire. Playing a new drum, regardless of your experience level, can be challenging (yet, rewarding!), and it always helps to have a “quick start” guide to what will …

Contrary to popular belief, drumming is not just for kids, young adults, rock stars or hippies. Drumming, as a therapy or healing art, benefits those with everything from stress and anxiety to neurological disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Drumming within a group improves teamwork, inspires creativity and can bring a smile to the faces of even our oldest friends and family members. Senior citizens are among the many different groups of people that are exper …

Music can produce dramatic emotional responses in its listeners. Jazz and classical music can both soothe or motivate, a funeral dirge can start tears flowing, gospel music inspires and reggae can get a party started. These responses to music may be learned, to an extent, but are also products of the way the music is interpreted by the brain, and how music can help rewire the brain and change its cognitive and emotional functions. The brain is a vast landscape of neu …

Cajon drums are thought to have originated in Peru and Cuba in the 1800s by central and West African slaves brought to the South American region. These drums were crafted in secret in order to retain some of the cultural rituals that were stripped from the lives of the slaves. The unique box shape of the cajon drum we know today replicates the drums that slaves created out of various and common items that were considered trash, like crates or old drawers. These drums were ea …

The Ngoma, also known as the Drum of the Dead due to its relation to indigenous royal ancestor spirits, originated in the Eastern part of Africa, particularly Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Kenya and especially Uganda. The Baganda, the largest tribe in Uganda, continues many traditional uses of the Ngoma drum. The Ngoma, like most African drums, is a means of communication within tribes and is also used during various celebrations. Its rich, spiritual history also gives it t …

Drumming is serious business; serious and fun business. It is a chance to be with friends and others who share your love for rhythm and music. Drumming sessions and circles can last an hour, or can go on for great lengths of time, sometimes at the physical expense of the drummers involved. Whether you drum for yourself, in a band, in a drum circle or for whatever reasons, you know that if you drum for too long, your arms, shoulders, back and hands can start to feel fatigued. …

Claves are a traditional Afro-Cuban percussive instrument that provides repeating time in many different kinds of cultural music. Claves are played by striking the two pieces of wood together, in order to create a sharp cracking sound. Modern claves are amplified as a consequence of their hollowness. One clave strikes the other, causing the stick to create a resonance. How to Play the Claves The way the claves are played is just by striking them together. The resonation of …

Living in the Bay Area and looking for a truly remarkable summer experience for your daughter? Then consider the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp, a summer camp geared for girls who want to get more involved with music. At the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp, your daughter will get more than experience with music: she'll get the empowerment she needs as a girl and the practice she needs to be a better team player. The Bay Area Girls Rock Camp, founded three years ago in Oakland, is an organization crea …