X8 Drums Blog

Drumming may not seem like a dangerous activity, unless you consider the addictive nature of rhythm and the “rabbit hole” of discovering new drums and percussion instruments. Drumming is a physical activity, no matter which type of drum is played, and as such, can cause injuries to any drummer – whether a beginner or a drummer who has been feelin’ the beat for years. Through proper posture, stretching and an understanding of the various maladies of a drummer, the dangers of drumming can be reduc …

Pregnancy and the first few weeks of a baby’s life are precious times for the mother and infant that is just beginning to be influenced by the world. For many expectant mothers and fathers, the ability to communicate with an unborn baby is one of the most thrilling and speculative parts of the pregnancy, and the addition of music, reading or even speaking to the “bump” becomes a fun way to pass those months.There is, of course, much more to the role of sound and pregnancy, and the connections a …

The unplugged style of Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars's"Libations" takes the band back to its roots of playing inrefugee camps on whatever instruments they could find.Photo from sierraleonesrefugeeallstars.com.With the release of their new album, Libation, reggae band Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars celebrate the 10th anniversary of the making of their first album, Living Like a Refugee. Three more albums later, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have literally gone from refugees to all stars.A …

New but already popular trip-hop band London Grammar captivates audiences with wistful lyrics delivered by Hannah Reid’s subtle yet powerful vocals, Dan Rothman’s melancholy guitar melodies, and Dominic ‘Dot’ Major’s quiet yet strong rhythm, occasionally delivered via a djembe. In fact, when Reid and Rothman first met Majors at Nottingham University, he was playing a djembe.Playing the drums and the keyboard as well, Majors is meticulous when it comes to deciding which sounds are enhanced by the …

On its own, the djembe is a warm, relaxing, and energetic instrument that’s ideal for celebrations, dancing, or simply gathering with friends. But when a djembe meets a guitar, the result is pretty magical. You still get that warm, relaxing sound and even the energy that makes you want to get up and dance. But there’s also an intimacy to a sultry guitar backed by a simple yet exotic world drum rhythm.The combination can create a variety of sounds and moods that can be both romantic and relaxing. …

Our X8 Drums Cajon Shootout continues with the Agile Series Schlagwerk Cajon:Like the Sela Cajon, the Schlagwerk Agile Cajon is made in Germany and features quality craftsmanship, including clean joints and sanded down surfaces. However, the top corners are glued down, so you won’t get that same slap sound out of the corners that you would with the Sela Cajon. What you do get is a tight, dry, punchy sound. In fact, the Schlagwerk Agile Cajon has the driest sound of all the cajons featured in thi …

Mapex Raptor Direct Drive Double Pedal review by Dave Sims at X8 Drums. Dave is a young, but seasoned touring drummer and a product specialist at X8. If you have further questions about the Mapex Pedal reviewed in this video or questions about any other related drum gear, drop us a line in the comments below. Dave is up for the challenge!The Mapex Raptor Direct Drive Double Pedal features a new sleek design. They've got elongated the foot boards and put sleek chrome plating on pedal with black h …

Time to find out just how drum savvy you are when it comes to rock drummers. We've compiled a list of rock bands that are home to some of the top earning drummers in rock. Topping the list is the drummer for the Beatles, said to be worth 300 million.Give the quiz a whirl and post your score in the comments area below. If you are anything like our Director of Operations, Matt (aka King of Trivia), you'll breeze through this test, laughing at how easy it is. If you are more like me, (aka Web Mistr …

Our friends at Rattletree Marimba are hosting an event like Austin has never seen before. In fact, this event will be so incendiary, the entire world will have a chance to enjoy the night, through the magic of live, streaming video!Austin Meets Zimbabwe will take place at the Rattletree Marimba studio in Austin, with a night of live African music, video projection, dancing and an unforgettable experience of sights, sounds and so much more! Truth aka Mike D. Johnson will be there, and SeVana Mari …

Tambourines are common hand percussion instruments that are seen in cultures around the world. These frame drums are known for the ability to accent a song or rhythm with a jingle and thump, so to speak, and are perfect for classrooms and the introduction of drumming and rhythm. Even with the simplicity of the instrument, there are many advanced methods to playing the tambourine that require practice, patience and determination. Most people are familiar with tapping the tambourine with the hand …