X8 Drums Blog

Def Leppard may be best known for its songs like, “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” or “Hysteria,” but this hard rock band has one thing that relatively few other bands can claim: a drummer who personally knows the value of drumming as therapy.As the result of a street racing accident in 1984, Def Leppard drummer, Rick Allen, underwent the amputation of his left arm, a devastating injury that would have left most drummers without a means to pursue the passion for rhythm. With the help of Pearl Drum …

Paradiddle, paradiddle, paradiddle-diddle. Drumming has its own language, vibe and reality, especially when it comes to the physical toll a drumming session can take on the arms, wrists, hands and ankles. Whether you are a full-body metal drummer like Igor Cavalera, a jazz-funk-rock-funk-jazz expert like Cindy Blackman, or just play a lot of solo garage gigs, warming up your drumming muscles can improve technique, stamina and chops. The muscles and joints that let you transform a t …

For hard-hitting drum beats and an extensive history of drumming and vocals, look no further for artist inspiration than Aaron Gillespie. Gillespie is the former drummer of Underoath, a Christian metalcore band, and has recently been pursuing a solo career with a spiritual purpose, as well as providing drumming lessons, touring, blogging and clearing a path for a successful career in music. Gillespie has been a stand-out drummer since the age of 14, bringing a hard, driving beat to the C …

As a drummer new to your instrument or perhaps ready to move beyond your starter kit, the choices for cymbals can get overwhelming. There are so many brands and styles to choose from, it's hard to know which models will best fit your musical style. While a standard drum kit will typically come with a ride cymbal and hi-hat, the other accent cymbals are left up to you to build into the kit. After reading this, you will be able to define your musical style and get pointed in the right direction …

The most eye-catching part of your drum kit is the cymbals. They flash and reflect light when you are crashing them, so not only do they sound great, they become part of the show you put on as well. When purchasing cymbals, drummers are attracted to both the sound quality and the appearance. Cymbals can come in different finishes, including dark, aged, extremely dry looking cymbals to those with such a brilliant finish that you can see yourself reflected in them. Not only do cymbals with a na …

The thought of Brazilian drumming may bring to mind fantastic Latin rhythms and the integration of world drums into edgy and driving beats that make even the shyest spectator want to dance. In the case of Vera Figueiredo, this stereotype is absolutely true, yet not the complete picture of sound. Vera Figueiredo is not only an accomplished Latin drummer, but  she also bridges the Latin and Rock genres together, beautifully, giving her the presence of an edgy, driven and overtly talent …

The ancient techniques of cymbal making have produced a range of cymbal styles that appeal to different drummers across the music spectrum. For the earliest origins of the cymbal, these instruments have been strategically crafted to produce different sounds that accent music from rock to jazz, and classical to world music. The decay, attack and overall tone and sound quality of a cymbal are directly related to its size, shape and the alloy used in its construction. Until a drummer is famil …

Bringing different styles and techniques of drumming together is one of the most significant moves a drummer can make when it comes to building a long-lasting, interesting career. It is hard to find a great drummer that has not mastered drumming for several types of music, bringing a personal connection to the genres into the drummer’s own unique style of playing.Combining metal, punk and rock with Latin American flair, Roy Mayorga has earned his chops as a drummer with the style, ability …

Many times, the first experience a person has with musical instruments is through the band or orchestra program in school. From woodwinds to percussion, these programs expose students to the different types of instruments that have impacted music for centuries, and can lead to a life-long love of music in all its forms. Marching band is one of the most visible representations of the music instruction available in schools. Usually thought of as a half-time football act, parade entertainmen …

The world of music is full of a vast array of genres, artists, instruments and, above all, passion. The passion for creative expression drives many a musician to great heights, and usually, these amazing artists know from a young age that music is a chosen calling. Mitch Marine is one of those artists. A drummer who has played with bands like Smash Mouth and Tripping Daisy, Marine began drumming in eighth grade and has been a non-stop force of rhythm ever since. As the current drummer …