X8 Drums Blog

Northern California may never be the same again after the dust settles from the 2011 Drum! Night premier drum event. The evening promises to showcase some of the finest known drummers, including the rhythm section of Santana, Raul Rekow and Karl Perazzo, Thomas Lang, and Terry Bozzio as well as Street Drum Corps Presents BANG! and Armando Peraza. Along with performances by these percussionists, the 2011 Drum! Night event will provide opportunities to learn from these greats, try out new …

Go behind the scenes with Sabian Cymbals. Chris Stankee (Sabian AR Manager) & Chris Sears (SMI Drum Instructor) talk about how Sabian Cymbals are made with footage from the factory. Definitely worth watching! Part 1: The beginnings Learn about the copper and tin materials used to create the B20 Bell Bronze castings and the B8 Sheet Bronze. Then see the tempering process, how the hole is drilled in the center and the finishing process. He then talks about how they tweak the sounds of …

NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) never fails to provide an annual look into the best products and talents available throughout the world of music. For those lucky enough to attend a NAMM event, lives are changed forever, especially when it comes to  experiencing some of the greatest talent the industry has to offer… not to mention the sneak peeks at all the new instrumental goods a musician could ask for. As the sponsor of “the largest and longest-running musical instrum …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

With little biographical information available, the stereotypical mystery of a drummer is alive and well in Rich Beddoe, one of the members of Canada’s alternative rock icons, Finger Eleven. For fans of the genre, Finger Eleven brings its fans a look into the longevity of a band that was originally formed when it’s members were in high school. Today, with five released albums and a Juno Award for Rock Album of the year in 2008, Finger Eleven and drummer, Rich Beddoe, are proving that succe …