X8 Drums Blog

For musicians, the ability to hear is just as essential as the ability to play an instrument. But imagine that one day your hearing vanishes, leaving you unable to hear the sound of your hand or drum stick hitting the head of a drum - a sound that was once deafening. Colorado drummer Doug Lagasse didn’t have to imagine it.Lagasse lost his ability to hear 10 years ago as a side effect of medicine he was taking for cystic fibrosis treatment. As a musician, losing his hearing was hard because he co …

Lamoine, Maine may be a small town, but its rich with the sounds of West African culture thanks to professional percussionist Mike Bennett. The seasoned percussionist expanded his drumming repertoire to include world drumming in 1999, when he made his first trip to Gambia. By studying the djembe, Bennett learned that West African music uses rhythm in a different way than other genres. In fact, learning the unique rhythms of West African music helped him enhance his own playing. Returning to …

When it comes to common ground, people often look to the earth to celebrate all of the wondrous sights and sensations we share. There can be little doubt that despite the distance across the planet, each of us reaps the benefits of our planet and its variety of plants, animals, landscape and people. We all breathe the air, drink the water and feel the changing of seasons. As drummers, we are also able to express this unity through our rhythms, especially those that echo the pulse of the earth a …

Giving the gift of experience is one of the best ways to show a person you care, particularly when that person is yourself. As a musician, a drummer, the experience of drumming can be one that is incomparable to any other instrument, but, what is a drummer to do when she or he needs a new drum set? Where is the best place to experience the different snare drums and kick pedals on the market? As a savvy shopper with a love for rhythm, how can a drummer find the perfect drum set to complete that p …

Tuning forks, singing bowls, drums and the sounds of nature have all been used in “vibrational medicine” settings, helping people attempting to achieve better mental health, less pain or a deeper understanding of their own wellness. Non-invasive, therapeutic techniques have been used since the beginning of time to enhance wellness and health goals, but sound therapy continues to bring a variety of methods and outcomes for anyone willing to spend some time… just listening.The didgeridoo is one o …

Drums are considered to represent the cultures and regions from which they were developed, whether used as ceremonial instruments within a tribe or long-distance tools of communication upon a battlefield. When studying a culture, the music and instruments that are created are often unique to that area’s natural materials, as well as the spiritual practices that can date back hundreds and thousands of years. These concepts are definitively reflected in the Batá drum as a representation of Nigeria …

Being a drummer is more than appreciating music, a strong love for rhythm and a dedication to connecting to others through song. Drumming is also a talent and a skill, and as such, requires the drive to practice and perfect a beat, no matter the obstacles on the road to percussive greatness. No matter if you are a rockin’ drum set drummer, or appreciate the vibe of Latin music or the groove of a community drum jam, knowing that neighbors, housemates and even your parents aren’t as hot for your b …

Ever since we were kids we knew that summer was the time for fun and exploring new hobbies. Whether we were taking swimming lessons or enrolling in summer camp we knew that we were going to have a great time exploring new activities. That sense of adventure doesn’t have to stop now that many of us have left the days of summer vacation behind them. Summer can be a great time to pick up a new skill and learn to play drums. Learning to play drums can be exciting and easy. There are many popular ha …

It’s no secret to music lovers and concert goers alike that loud music can be one of the best parts of a musical experience. There’s nothing quite like standing a little too close to the speakers at a concert to get your adrenaline going. Many people jokingly chide each other saying if the music’s too loud, then you’re too old. However, the reality of the situation is that if you’re listening to loud music, you could be doing some pretty serious damage to your hearing. Hearing loss currently af …

You asked and we answered. We had our first drum shootout here at X8 Drums and are stoked to share it with you guys! First up? A cajon shootout. Here’s how it works… We asked professional percussionist, Noah Mosgofian, to demo five randomly chosen professional-level cajons. In the videos, he’ll talk about the unique characteristics and personality of each so that you can make an informed decision when choosing your next (or first) cajon. Up first is the Sela Cajon: Made in German …