X8 Drums Blog

Cultures have been using drums to communicate and signal others through the ages. Today, in this time of cellphones and online social media, drums may seem antiquated; however, drums still play an important role to help communicate with others.Music Therapy is a process that facilitates improved health through musical experiences. There have been both qualitative as well as quantitative research reinforcing drumming as a successful tool for certified practitioners.Like in other applications of m …

You have been drumming for a short time and for your upcoming performance you want to tune your drum(s). The question becomes how should I tune my drum? Does my drum have a certain pitch it should be set to?There is no simple right or wrong answer to this, but I will lay out a few suggestions. The ultimate answer is to do what sounds and feels right to you the performer.The point to state first is, yes, there is a perfect note for each drum. All instruments have a natural resonance that projects …

Endorphins are one of nature’s little gifts to us. They help us endure pain and stress and can be released in a variety of ways. Technically, endorphins are a chemical released by the brain that results in happier, more joyful emotions. Those positive emotions help us endure less than positive situations, as well as helping us bond with others. And, since endorphins are completely natural, they don’t lead to the harmful effects of artificial endorphin-like drugs such as codeine and morphine. …

The mega music festival Austin City Limits was another success this year in Austin, TX. The event wrapped up last weekend and thousands of music fans walked away with bellies full of musical memories.X8 Drums was proud to be a part of the event this year as co-sponsor of the Austin Kiddie Limits DrumZone where Mike Marcionetti conducted drum workshops for kids at the event. The DrumZone featured all types of world percussion drums and percussion instruments and Mike facilitated group jams where …

You have your wonderful new drum! You have even taken some lessons from a teacher and can lay down some pretty cool beats. What happens next? You could join a band if there is a group looking for a new drummer; or if there isn’t a group available, you can join a Drum Circle.A Drum Circle is pretty much what it sounds like: a group of people —in a circle— playing drums. Usually they employ various Hand Drums, but other types of drums are typically welcome. People gather into these groups for a va …

There seems to be a myth that's been perpetuated within the drumming industry that synthetic drum heads are somehow superior to natural heads, especially when it comes to hand drums. This article will clear up some of those misunderstandings and clarify some of the differences between synthetic drum heads and natural heads.Synthetic and Goatskin Drum HeadsOne of the main points that the manufacturers of synthetic drum heads use to sell their instruments, is that the head is not affected by tempe …

X8 Drums strives to bring new and innovative drums and hand percussion instruments to the public, understanding that music can only be enhanced by quality sound and a watchful eye on the future of rhythm. As the leader in hand percussion instruments, X8 Drums is proud to announce the addition of Swan Percussion drums, one of the most original drum manufacturers in the U.S. today.Ground-breaking in design and unmatchable in sound, Swan Percussion has created an evolution in drums. The flagship, B …

Watch a preview of this lessonNew online lesson with Michael Pluznick! In this lesson, you will learn how to play a basic 4/4 rhythm on the shekere. You'll be able to use this rhythm at any drum circle jam or play along with your favorite music.To Download The Full Lesson, Click Here: http://www.x8drums.com/How-to-Play-Shekere-p/vid-016.htmThe lesson starts with a quick introduction to the instrument and how to hold it. You'll then learn the concept for the playing motions of the instrument, sta …

The depth and pulsing rhythm of a song is one of the most important aspects of music. Between the bass guitar and the bass drum, the strongest rhythms are only as good as the equipment used to produce those hard-hitting, powerful and driving beats. Professional drummers understand the importance of having not only a bass drum that creates a unique bass tone, but also the right drum pedal to help achieve those rhythms and create a personal drumming style.For the amateur, student, hobby or pro dru …

An Indian cultural festival was held earlier this month in Belize. Indians arrived in Belize through indentured servitude in the 19th century and although many of the descendants of those original immigrants have not retained a lot of the culture of their ancestors, since 2009 an organization has been working to change that. As reported by News Track India, an annual cultural festival has been put on since 2011 and includes the sounds of Indian drumming and music. About four percent of Belize’s …