I have Grey Larsen’s Essential Guide, but not the recent Mary Bergin tutorial.
Can anyone with a good knowledge of both do a comparison for us? I know Larsen’s book isn’t formally arranged as a tutorial, and Bergin’s (apparently) is, but beyond that, I’d like to know the range and depth and specifics of the material covered by Bergin compared to Larsen.
I have both. While the Larsen is a great encyclopaedic source which I still go to, the great advantage of Mary Bergin’s tutorials are that they don’t leave you all at sea in the midst of so many techniques and ornaments but build steadily each chapter incorporating newly learned stuff. I’ve progressed more in the last couple of months of Mary’s direction that in the previous year probably. And there is far more in Mary’s tutorials than at first meets the eye and that you don’t find in Larsen’s tome, patterns of tonguing for example relating to different types of dance tunes. She also takes apart each type of dance tune to teach how to play them properly, where emphasis should be and, as I say, where best to tongue. If I had to make a choice, no question I would go with Mary. Her years of individual tuition shines through and progression is fast. I’m working in Book 2 right but, as she said to me in an e-mail, it’s good to begin with Book 1 to go over what you may already know but need to polish. In the end, she said, it may be the faster route. That’s the way I went and don’t regret it. Let me know if you’re interested in Book 1. I may decided to sell it off. Hope this helps.
Oh, one more thing. Each book comes with a key number in the back. In time her web-site will have a “club” page for those with a number, who will be able to login for additional on-line free lessons and tips. That will be fantastic when it happens but right now she’s still finishing Book 3.
Yes, a thorough Mary Bergin book/tutorial review would be a valuable asset to the entire whistle community.
This may be a stupid question, but is Ms. Bergin’s website the only place to order the books? Is there an on-line site in the US for ordering?
Thanks
Poppi
I believe her site is the only place.
Thanks.
Poppi