X8 Drums Blog

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 …

With so many beautiful drums to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. In this guide we get you past the first hurdle of djembe buying, which is deciding whether to go with a traditional rope tuned djembe or a mechanically tuned version. “Traditional” Djembe (JEM-bay) The “traditional” djembe has a roped tuning system and a leather head and a wooden body. The head (the membrane that’s played) is made of goat skin as it has been for hundreds of years. A system o …

Some hand drums just stand out above the others, whether with their sound, size or even just the way the drum looks. Most hand drum players start with finding the “right” sound of a drum, whether a djembe, doumbek or a set of bongos. But, appearance can always be a factor that sways even the best drummer – we’re human, after all, and we aren’t afraid of a little snazz on our drums.If you already have a djembe, for example, you can always add some personal touches to it like ksink ksink or …

Drummers have to contend with a lot of aches and pains in the process of creating beautiful rhythm. While we may appear to have unlimited energy and a spirit of folly at times, that doesn’t mean we don’t have the same feelings as the rest of the world – especially when it comes to our bodies. Drumming is hard work, and even if we’re the drummer who sits behind a drum set, we can feel the burn in our legs, arms, neck and back. But, this isn’t about those drummers who sit… thi …

We can see it in your eyes, the way you’ve been looking at those djembes and cajon drums. You may have stumbled upon a hand drum in an online video, or you heard the call of the rhythm at night from a neighbor’s drum in the distance. You are ready to take the next step and start your life as a master of hand percussion instruments. Of course, you are only following your instincts (as you should) and are to be commended for your desire to improve your life dramatically. Now you just have …

If you have been playing hand drums for a while, you know there are plenty of differences between a djembe and the bongos. Really, if you’ve been playing for a while, you know there are differences between a rope-tuned djembe and a key-tuned djembe, not to mention the thousands of other nuances that those drums offer. Loving your djembe (or any hand drum) will inevitably lead you down a path of expertise about your drum, as well as drums that sit alongside it at the local music store or …

There is something special about the cooler seasons of the year that bring out the best in everyone, including elaborate costumes and the fantasy worlds of times past. Renaissance fairs and festivals are a part of the lives of millions of people around the world, taking advantage of open air settings that once proved a glamorous backdrop for knights, queens, sorcery and so much more. At any point in the year, you can be assured of venturing into a Renaissance fair and seeing a wide rang …

Children from the St. Albert Youth Musical Association’s (SAYMA) four choirs brought the unique culture of Africa to the West by performing authentic African songs, drumming rhythms, folk dances, and stories. The concert, Journey Through Africa: We Are One, was held this past weekend and was performed by all four choirs, which include children and youth ranging from three to 18 years old.Dressed in traditional African costumes made from fabric bought at a market in Kenya, the children an …