X8 Drums Blog

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 …

Not that we would ever encourage “drum envy,” but, have you ever noticed that some djembe drums have a little more going on than the rest? We’re not talking the hand-carved djembes (although, those are pretty great) or the djembes that come directly from Mali, Senegal or Ivory Coast.We mean the djembe drums that include a bit more style and flair than the rest… the djembes that seem to know they’re the boss of all drums, the warrior-styled djembe drums that take no prisoners.The djembe drum …

"Didge Man" Omid Aski Laridjani has spent time with the Yolngu tribe in northern Austraila learning about and experiencing the ancient culture of the didgeridoo. In this video he shares his connection to this instrument. Video Highlights: The didgeridoo is a wind instrument that comes from the northern territory of Australia. It is a powerful tool, an invitation to learn your instinctive language. The language of energy. What do I mean by that? When you see trees dance to the wind …

With so many beautiful drums to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. In this guide we get you past the first hurdle of djembe buying, which is deciding whether to go with a traditional rope tuned djembe or a mechanically tuned version. “Traditional” Djembe (JEM-bay) The “traditional” djembe has a roped tuning system and a leather head and a wooden body. The head (the membrane that’s played) is made of goat skin as it has been for hundreds of years. A system o …

Matt from X8 Drums took some time to demo and talk about the Gretsch Marquee Drum Set, a brand new offering from Gretsch. After playing a couple of songs and getting a feel for the kit at Wunder Studios in Austin, TX, Matt is confident in saying that the Gretsch Marquee Drum set is currently the best value drum kit that Gretsch offers. It has a solid sound and a professional look that any drummer will appreciate. The Gretsch Marquee Drum Set features an 8-inch tom, a 10-inch tom, a 12 …

Like the trees in a forest or the individual crafting a djembe by hand, traditional djembe drums are beautiful in the imperfections they hold. Understanding the history and culture of the djembe drum is as important as understanding how to play it, and it is this history and culture that is reflected to this day in the sight and sound of all traditionally-made djembe drums. When it comes to buying a traditional djembe, understanding the process of creating these instruments is im …

Due to the delicate nature of the materials used in a Djembe, it is normal for the drum to need periodic maintenance and tuning in order to produce its best sound and keep the drum in top form. If a Djembe begins to sound dull when played, it is probably time to tighten the head. The wood and skin of a Djembe are vulnerable to various weather conditions and handling problems that can occur through regular use, storage or transportation. Tuning Djembe drums is more tha …