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 ins …

As adults, we want to be sure that our children are given the best tools for success in life. We watch, eagerly (and, maybe cringe a little) as those little minds and bodies develop their own interests, opinions and voices that are such important parts of the personalities we have pledged to love, no matter what. Then, one day, those little hands start slapping or tapping on a bucket, a pot or even on our own drums. In that moment, we realize, life has come full circle. My kid is a …

The second week of November has been designated, “Dear Santa Letter Week,” by the people who plan our calendars and remind us that the holiday season is happening right now… as if the holiday decorations in stores after Labor Day weren’t enough of a clue. There is a bright side to this week of gluttony, though; even if you’re not a Christmas person, this is a really good time to get your priorities straight and demand what you want out of life – especially the drums and hand percussion ins …

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 …

Busking is a pretty familiar sight around the globe. It can be a representation of the need to “busk a move” when the music hits, or, a way to earn a little extra cash. Some people busk because they just can’t help but feel the music, or love the adoring crowds that street performing (especially drumming!) can pull together. Whatever your reasons are for jumping into busking, there are always good and bad ways to go about it. First, if you’re going to be a street drummer or a busker, you n …