I didn’t ask her to be honest, there was a load of books and CDs being launched, first the discount sale of new stuff, then the official launches. It was an extremely lovely day, too lovely to spend much time indoors at a reception. So it was a quick look around, shake a few hands, have a few chats and out the door before the official stuff started.
I only had a quick leaf-through one of the volumes, didn’t ask her for a price. I’ll have a closer look later in the week and get back about it.
Had a closer look at the tutorial just now. The selection of tunes is one of tunes wellknown but not done to death. Tunes anyone would know to hear anyway. The books have a metal ring binding that lets them lie flat during practice (or easy to place on a music stand if so desired). Pages are plasticky so you can whistle over them and wipe any moisture that drops from the whistle away easily. Lay-out is very clear and the music is explained in great detail.
I still only saw Vols 1 and 2 the first comes with two CDs the second with three. They were selling at €50 and €65 respectively.
Interesting! How does she show ornamentation etc? According to her web-site “the music is written both in staff notation and in a form of ABC notation devised by me to illustrate the ‘internal’ rhythm and the ornamentation,” but I don’t know what that means or looks like.
Second, I’m wondering what she covers in each of the first two volumes. Would someone who’s played for a year or two need to buy the first book? They’re by no means inexpensive . . . even if it is Mary Bergin.
Second, I’m wondering what she covers in each of the first two volumes. Would someone who’s played for a year or two need to buy the first book? They’re by no means inexpensive . . . even if it is Mary Bergin.
I can’t answer that question for you. I don’t know how you play or what you want to achieve. I CAN say that you will need ask yourself the question what it is you want. The MB tutorial will try teach you to play Irish Traditional Music on the whistle. It goes some length explaining the intricacies involved and does that with a degree of detail that may or may not be too much for someone who just likes the idea of playing the whistle but isn’t too pushed about the level of detail required to play Irish (dance) music well.