If you follow Tahitian Drumming Heikura Nui from Tahiti are the Best of the Best in Tahitian drumming. there ensembles consist of Pure Mana, cleanliness , creativity and fun. i can remember when i first started learning Tahtian and i listened to a Heikura Nui Cd and i was so amazed by there sound.i would waste my life savings to go to Tahiti to meet them. after ten years of Drumming i have had the priviledge to not only meet but drum and socialize with them at this past Hura Tahiti competition. i don't know where to begin. we took a workshop that they put on and i was nervous. one by one the workshoppies played what they asked us too which was simple but nerves were ticking. everytime they got to me i'd drum the beat and they would smile and talk amongst themselves and point at my hand. i wish i knew what they were saying but there was a big language gap.we then took a break and they pulled me aside while one of the guys translated for Augustin, Atchoun and Temaeva . they told me i am good and that i have a good whip and to keep it up and to just play around when we get back in, we went in did Pa'ea and they looked at me and smiled then we did takato and Augustin looked at me an pointed at his stick and made the whip sign , so i ran takoto wid them and i hung in there.after that they smiled then moved on. then they came out and did a drumming presentation which was tight and clean . simple beats but at a nice pace and strong. after they smiled and said good job.the next day i get to the comp and they all come out and see me and they came up to me and hugged and said Iaorana and small talked and joked all day. but sunday was the best day. besides laughing and joking with Heikura Nui, and watching alot of groups drum.Augustin and Joel pulled me aside to sit on the grass and talk drumming. they gave me tips , patterns and we listened to a group drum and they told me what they where doing that was wrong.
i was so excited and just overwhelmed by this experience and humbled. i never thought i'd sit with my idols and learn.
they kept saying if i come to Tahiti i drum with Heikura nui.
i am still stoked and i bought my Heikura Nui shirt . i really wish my drummers coulda expierenced what i did. and i can;t wait to share it with them.
and that was just the drummers.
Uncle Gerard is a really funny man. like a big kid. Uncle Gerard is the "Papa" of Tahiti not to be confused with "Papi" two different people. as i was backstage helping Tyler get ready i was showing tyler how to afata and uncle came by tied his shirt up and said like this and did a faarapu. throughout the day as i we passed he would always hug me and say "VAI HAU NUI" then he would crack a joke. like he was eating a bag of cheeze its and he saw me eating a granola bar and he grabbed it and said "this why you skinny", "this make you go Bathroom too much" then he laughed so hard and handed me the cheeze its and said "eat boy" . me standing there puzzled uncle says"i joking, me love you". another joke was when i asked if he was ok cuz he was having a hard time walking. i asked him"uncle you ok? hows ur leg?" and he laughs and says "leg fine,uncle just wants to look cool with sunglasses and Cane" then he laughed. btw his cane was all carved up it was tight.
wheni said goodbye to uncle when amanda went to pee or poop i dont really know maybe she poopeed? hahaha
anyways uncle gave me a big hug and said " i love you cuz you love Tahiti and you help VHN" ,"you are VHN and Heikura Nui", "when you come Tahiti you drum and become Heikura Nui".
never did i think any of this would be happening in my entire life. i thought i'd just buy a ticket to tahiti and the heiva just to only watch Heikura Nui.
honestly i dont know what brought me here maybe it was God who knows all i know is im thankful and humbled. i do owe a big thank you to my wife though for not only entering solos and making me drive all the way to LA. but thanking here for letting me help VHN that day they needed me. it was a blessing in disguise.
well ima hit the sheets cuz my wife wants to use the cpu hahaha
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