About
Mary Bergin, born in Shankill, County Dublin, Ireland, is celebrated as a pioneering Irish folk musician and a master of the tin whistle. Growing up in a musical family, with her parents being accomplished melodeon and fiddle players, Bergin's talent flourished early. By the age of nine, she was already on her path to mastery, later clinching the All Ireland tin whistle championship in 1970.
Bergin's influence in traditional Irish music is profound. She is credited with elevating the Irish tin whistle to a premier position in modern traditional Irish music. Her debut solo album, ‘Feadóga Stáin’, released in 1979, is regarded as a seminal work in the genre, showcasing her exceptional skill and innovative approach.
As a founding member of the group Dordán, Bergin plays a unique blend of traditional Irish and European Baroque music. The group has earned wide acclaim and recognition, including receiving the National Entertainment Award for Traditional Music. In 2000, Bergin herself was honored with the ‘TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year Award’, underlining her significant contributions to the music industry and Irish culture.
In addition to these achievements, Bergin's role as an influencer and educator in the realm of traditional Irish music was formally recognized in 2022 when she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from University College Dublin. This accolade celebrated her outstanding contributions to the arts and culture and her status as a leading figure in Irish music.
Her journey, marked by individual accomplishments and collaborative endeavors, underscores her status as a prominent figure in the Irish music scene. Bergin's work continues to inspire and influence musicians and enthusiasts of Irish music around the world, cementing her legacy as a true icon in the field.
Tin Whistle Tutor
Delve into the essence of Irish music with Mary Bergin's Irish Tin Whistle Tutorial, a meticulously crafted educational journey designed for whistle enthusiasts of all levels. Each tutorial encapsulates the rhythmic heartbeat of traditional Irish tunes, instilling learners with the skills to play with authenticity and passion.
Volume I: Beginner to Intermediate Level
Beginners start their musical voyage here, building from the ground up. With a focus on the basics of tin whistle playing, students are introduced to the scale of D major, breath control, and the fundamentals of tone production. The accompanying CDs provide instrumental demonstrations and clear verbal instructions, ensuring that even those new to music can follow along with ease.
Volume II: Intermediate to Advanced Level
For the intermediate player, this volume pushes the boundaries of skill and expression. It builds upon the foundation laid in Volume I, delving into more complex rhythms, varied tunes, and the intricate ornamentations that give Irish music its distinctive sound. It's designed to challenge and inspire, with audio tracks that encourage practice and mastery of each lesson.
Volume III: Advanced to Professional Level
Aimed at advanced musicians, this volume is the culmination of Mary’s teaching method, designed to propel students into the realm of professional playing. Here, the tutorials focus on the finesse of performance, exploring advanced techniques that demand precision and soul. The lessons in this volume are a testament to the depth and complexity of traditional Irish music and Mary's mastery as an educator and musician.
Together, these volumes represent a comprehensive guide that serves not just as a teaching tool, but as a bridge to Ireland's musical heritage, crafted by one of its most respected torchbearers. Mary Bergin’s tutorials are more than lessons; they are an invitation to join a musical tradition that continues to inspire and captivate the world.
Testimonials
Mary Bergin's unique whistle playing is pure genius. May she continue to charm the world with her beautiful style.
Anyone who has had the pleasure to hear Mary Bergin play, learn from her, or be in her company, knows they are in the presence of a legend. Her cuts, rolls, crans, breath control and pulsating rhythms with that phenomenal lift are awe inspiring.
The Inimitable Mary Bergin is the foremost performer of our day on the tin whistle and is also passionately dedicated to passing on her incomparable skills through her life-long commitment to teaching the instrument.