What is the consensus on Heather Clarke’s book, New Method of Piping? Thanks.
It is considered the premier of written tutors for UPs. Please see the FAQ thread for more info.
djm
IMHO it’s the best of the tutors.
as a padawan learner, it helped me understand a LOT more about the pipes.
…translation please?
Also, I think Dr. Clarke’s tutor is great, by the way. I have always wondered at her pronunciation of “Si Bheag, Si Mhor” however. She says it like " she veg, she vor". Is it not more like “she veg, she wore”?
T
I have this and the david spillane book. Don’t get the david spillane book, its just a finger chart and a collection of tunes. I was so mad when I saw skimmed through that book.
My only comment about this book is that on the CD she tends to play too fast even when she is trying to play slowly for you. But if you get some software like amazing slowdowner, it is fine.
For some reason, I’m posting in stereo today.
There are several distinctly different Irish accents, without getting into the whole Donegal Gaeltacht vs West Cork Gaeltacht dialect argument. There’s also the possibility that the good Doctor spoke An Roinn Oideachais Irish (like myself 
).
She Veug she Vore is about as close a spelling in pronunciation terms. While accent is different in parts of the country this is pretty correct no matter where you are.
I refute this. I cannot think of a situation where I have not heard ‘mh’ pronounced as a ‘w’…where there is a long vowel after it.
Anyone else?
Annecdote: I have a young friend who has a violin music book with Si Beag Si Mor in it. They give the translation as “So Little, So Big” thus successfully returning Irish to its French roots. 
It’s not “mh” but I’ve had my name in Irish (Suibhne) pronounced variously “Siv-na” and “Su-wi-na”, depending which part of Ireland I’ve been in. The former being more in the south and the latter being more in the North and West.
I’m not an expert by any means, but the rules don’t seem so hard and fast. “mh” is normally considered a “broad” consonant, and so pronounced “w”. But it can sometimes be pronounced “v” when followed by a “slender” vowel, or at the end of a word like creidimh, or when its just easier to pronounce a “v” instead of a “w” sound. I have only ever heard the tune pronounced “Shee Vegg Shee Vorr”.
Sí = fairy mound and/or its inhabitants.
Bheag = little, small
Mhór = large in size or extent
djm
She begs for more.
Tommykleen…It’s pronounced similiarly to a V…I didn’t make any reference to a W. I would like to know who you are to refute what I said. For your information I am an honours Irish graduate from Trinity College. Silence displays no ignorance!! By the way Si refers to a hill. Little hill big hill is what the title means. DJM is quite correct on all counts…congrats to you!
Goldy, An Gúm disagrees with you. My definition comes straight out of Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla by Niall Ó Dónal. 
djm
Sorry - I went completely off-topic. Now back to regular posting about Heather Clarke’s Tutor.
The Clarke book is the best beginners tutor that I’ve seen (even if it seems to take a sudden quantum leap around lesson 12 with the introduction of ‘Garrett Barry’s Jig’-though maybe that’s just me being dumb!).
Seamus Ennis’s ‘The Master’s Touch’ is very interesting-though ideosyncratic(I think that you need to ‘read between the lines’ sometimes to see what he’s getting at,but fascinating stuff just the same).
I would agree with all you have said. SE’s tutor is great once you have a bit of piping under your belt. HC’s is more suited for the pure beginner.
I am agreeing with you djm…oh what difference…you all win…forget about it it’s been too long a day and I just played Miss McCleods just about as badly as it can be played…Tough going this piping I tell you. The frustration.!!!
HC tutor, get it, you won’t regret it.