Recently I tried to play jazz. It got me thinking about jazz, so I share some thoughts about playing jazz as a violinist, how I approach it, what it's like, how I practice, and how I take a solo. The tune is Ed Weaver's Cluck Old Hen. In the words of my friend Shane, it's a "nice, meditative tune". Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen a…

Summary Nancy Schneider, a Philadelphia retiree shares her experience of retiring in the city. Philadelphia is located on the East Coast of Pennsylvania, with easy access to New York City, Washington DC, and the Jersey coast. The city has a temperate climate and offers a variety of quick getaways, including New York, the Jersey Shore, and nearby ga…

Have you thought about playing the mandolin? You could do worse. Welcome back to our regularly scheduled episodes, featuring a bunch of Old-Time tunes for the rest of June and July. We get caught up and talk about the mandolin. You may already know this, but the mandolin is tuned the same as a fiddle. Interesting! This week the tune is Shippensport…

Starting summer vacation this week so I'm replaying an episode I recorded in December of 2022 about double stops and drones. I'll be back next week with Old-Time tunes. My course for double stops and drones can be found here. This episode covers how Megan helps her students learn to play double stops and drones and presents a setting of Tail Toddle…

Renato is a Bolivian entrepreneur who currently resides in Madrid. He has a passion for languages and has found a way to make money from it. In addition to being multilingual, he also has a fondness for the arts, particularly pottery and music. He played in the orchestra of his city in Bolivia and Spain for approximately 5 years. Renato was born in…

This week I have a conversation with Irish fiddler Ellery Klein. Ellery Klein performs across New England with the fiddle, flute, and guitar trio Fódhla and nationally with the three-fiddle Celtic powerhouse group, The Bow Tides, whose debut album, Sailing On, was released in 2022. She also teaches fiddle to all ages in the Boston area and beyond. …

Let's talk about playing harmonies on the fiddle. How can you get started with learning and playing harmonies and how do you get better at coming up with them on the fly? Our tune this week is the Irish single reel in D, Stoney Steps. Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Apple Music, Spotify, or Buzzsprout. Find me on Y…

Frontiers of Equality in the Development of EU and US Citizenship Author: Dr Jeremy B. Bierbach Jeremy Bierbach (1975) is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in linguistics, Jeremy worked as an IT specialist for several years. In 2001, Jeremy emigr…

Andrew VanNorstrand performs with his brother Noah VanNorstrand and Chris Miller in the Faux Paws, a contemporary folk band that plays fiddle tunes and original songs with just about the best groove around. The Faux Paws are making an album and you can get involved and find out more here. The time window is closing soon! Andrew grew up playing fidd…

If you're a reader and a fiddler, here are some recommendations for books from children's books to YA and general fiction that feature fiddlers and fiddling. Some of these books have even been known to inspire folks to pick up the fiddle! Kids books: Mole music Just Enough and Not Too Much Fiddling Sam Nina’s Waltz A Fiddle for Angus YA or chapter …

Eric is French, born and raised in Paris where he lived and worked as a business journalist until Michael and he left for Malta. Michael is American by birth (born in Hollywood, Florida) and became French while living in Paris. An HR Executive for 2 very large conglomerates, Michael has moved around a lot for his companies and traveled the world. H…

We talk about the personalities of the different major and minor keys. What makes C sound so different from A on the fiddle? Why do players try out a tune in different keys, and how do the keys lay out on the instrument? Our tune is the Irish E minor reel Maid of Mt. Kisco. Love this one! Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscri…

This is my second conversation with Rachel Eddy, since I forgot to record the first one! We talk about finding flow in fiddling, learning tunes off recordings (or not), remembering tunes, singing, some great stories about Rachel's dad and his fiddle journey, and some ideas for fiddle students to help relax and get balanced while playing. Rachel Edd…

pamm meyers pamm meyers is, storyteller, dynamic leader and advocate dedicated to fostering prosperity within the LGBTQIA community through business innovation and social advocacy. With a multifaceted background, pamm has become a trailblazer in various fields, leaving an indelible mark on New Mexico’s LGBTQIA and business communities. As CEO of Go…

We're talking about tapes on the fiddle, or stickers, or fingerboard stick on charts, or whatever you're curious about. Did you use tapes when you started? What are they useful for and how long does it make sense to use them? Our tune is Broken Down Gambler, an Old-Time reel in G. Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Ap…

When I talk about articulation I'm referring to the beginning of the note, or the attack, and how long the note is generally. Articulation, or catching the string, or getting a "scrubby" sound, has a huge effect on your sound. Our tune is Dusty Miller, an Old-Time modal reel in A. Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Ap…

Rick retired on Dec 31 2023 with 35 years and 21 Emmy Awards under his belt as a producer, writer, and director. He began his work as a public service when he was elected as Dane County WI County Board Supervisor for which he will aim for reelection on 4/2/24. He is an advocate for the disenfranchised serving as a CASA volunteer in 3 states, as co-…

Have you wondered what it's like to compete in a fiddle competition? So have I. So I signed up for one and we'll see how it goes. I talk a little about how I'm planning to prepare. Our tune for this week is Old Billy Hell, a half length crooked Old-Time tune. Our album release party contra dance will be May 30th at 7pm in Baltimore at the Mobtown B…

A repeat this week, as my family is on spring break. This very early episode has been pretty popular, and has a lovely slip jig for the Irish fiddlers. It's never a bad time to break out the old metronome. I'll be back with Old-Time tunes for you next week! -Meg This episode features the fiddle tune House of My Own and describes working with the me…

Dwayne was born/raised in the northern Utah area (Ogden, north of SLC) and also spent time in southern California (Oxnard) He was educated in Utah through high school, and went to Weber State University, majoring in Architecture, but discontinued his education. Raised in the area's predominant religion (Latter Day Saints, Mormon) Served a church mi…

This week we have an interview with Tricia Spencer! Tricia is a well known, award winning Kansas fiddler who grew up on her family’s farm learning the tradition of old-time fiddling knee to knee from her grandpa and grandma, Vernon and Iona Spencer. Tricia takes us on a deep dive into Kansas and midwest fiddling, how she thinks about the left hand …

Have you ever been uncomfortable saying the name of a fiddle tune? How about tunes with slurs in the title or the Irish tune I Buried My Wife and Danced on her Grave? Without using racial slurs, I discuss problematic fiddle tune names, how I think about them and approach them. Find the Contranella album here: https://megwobus.bandcamp.com/album/con…

"Meet Kurt Becker, a seasoned public health professional with a rich journey of dedication and impact. Originally from Ithaca, NY, Kurt earned dual degrees in broadcasting and developmental psychology from Tompkins Cortland Community College. After moving to Las Cruces, New Mexico, he finished courses at New Mexico State University and graduated fr…

This week we talk about where the fiddle neck meets the hand. Different ways to grip the neck of the fiddle and how it can change- even while you're in the middle of playing! Our tune is Madam if You Please from a jam at the ArtHouse Bar. Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Apple Music, Spotify, or Buzzsprout. Find me …

Hear all about playing and performing on the 5 string fiddle with a bonus question from last week with Jenna Moynihan. Hear about Jenna's fiddle and how she uses it! Jenna's Interview: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2040333/14620847 John Blessing's Delight is an Irish jig in G major. Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on App…

Kevin grew up in the Detroit area. He attended college at Wayne State University and acquired his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. He started working with McDonald’s Restaurants as a franchisee in 1988 as an hourly crew person and worked his up to Director of Operations and Managing Partner. He has a great life partner…

An interview with Jenna Moynihan, a fiddler and an extraordinary member of the Boston music community. Jenna performs with harpist Mairi Chaimbeul, the Seamus Egan Project, the Hanneke Cassel Band, and has appeared as a soloist at Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops. In addition to touring, recording and teaching at fiddle camps, Jenna is also an As…

Let's talk about the different kinds of fiddling you find around the US and Canada. I share what I know about the genres more closely related to dancing and dance music, and a little about fiddling along with songs. Our tune for today is a version of Billy in the Lowground in the key of A, played in either Calico (AEAC#) or Cross A (AEAE) tuning. I…

Marc Goldberg Dog Trainer and author Marc Goldberg had his first paying client while still in junior high school and printed his first business card in 1975 at the age of 17. Marc first competed in an American Kennel Club obedience ring at age 12 with his first dog, a Sheltie named Gus. They won High in Trial, beating out nearly 100 dogs and they w…

What?! Stop playing the fiddle? Why would I ever do a podcast on that topic, and who am I to tell anyone what they should do or not do? Our tune for today is Chinquapin Hunting, a three part tune in A, played in cross A tuning. (I originally put the wrong tune up- even I can't keep these Old-Time tunes straight- but it should be Chinquapin Hunting …

Listen in to hear how you can supercharge your practicing, or at least give it a refresh. This is the last podcast devoted to a topic from my new course How to Play Faster, which is available now on Fiddle Studio! A quick addendum to the description of mindful practice: I somehow blanked on the best use of slow, mindful practice: improving your tun…

Dr. Michael Stracener is currently a Visiting Professor in social welfare policy at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He has 40-plus years’ experience as a clinical social worker and doctor of public health, retiring to Las Cruces in 2021 from Federal service with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Stracener is marrie…

Janie Rothfield is a powerhouse Old-Time fiddler and banjo player who performs and teaches at camps and weekends all over the country and the world! Janie shares what she thinks is important for fiddlers to learn and work on. Is it the fingering or the bowing? Hear all about Janie's Jumpstart camps and about her current projects. The tune today is …

Any time you mess with the left hand technique it's going to interfere with your playing. With this in mind how are some ways you can work on unlocking your hand gradually, or consider what's it like to drop everything and completely relearn the left hand. I made a mistake with the tune. I call it Fred Finn's in the podcast. That is a different ree…

Jim Hansen He was born in Pensacola, Florida in 1965 and raised in a military family. By the time he graduated from high school in 1983 in Newport News, Virginia, he had attended 9 different elementary and secondary schools. He can legitimately say he has lived in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, …

Slow practice and rhythms are two different ways to practice and make your playing faster. But how does slowing down help? And how is that different from practicing with rhythmic variations? Our tune for today is Ne'er Shall I Wean Her, a jig from a session at the ArtHouse bar in Baltimore, Maryland. Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen…

How to create speed by taking the thinking out of the left hand. My current favorite exercise for beginning and intermediate players. The tune for today is Tommy Mulhaire's, a jig by Tommy Mulhaire (or maybe by Martin his son). Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Apple Music, Spotify, or Buzzsprout. Find me on YouTube …

Roxana Bellia Growing up in Buenos Aires in the 60s, the adventure and quest for new economic opportunities took my parents to the vibrant city of New York. This was amidst the tenuous and fragile government that was later to succumb to a dictatorship. Despite having grown up with a cosmopolitan mindset and bicultural orientation, California became…

When I play out in the community and see folks who are still learning to play the fiddle, what is the biggest mistake I see them doing? Listen and find out! The tune today is The Birds, from a session with Brendan Hearn, Connor Hearn, and Dan Isaacson at the ArtHouse in Baltimore. Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Ap…

An interview with fiddler and clawhammer banjo player Brad Kolodner. We talk a lot about the banjo, but Brad does more than just banjo. Topics include growing up as the children of folk musicians, the commercialization of Old-Time music, and the lack of women on bills at Old-Time Festivals. Hear all about Brad's upcoming projects, links below. Feat…

Herschel Alan Weisfeld was born March 14, 1961, in McAllen, Texas along the southern border just across the Rio Grande River from Reynosa, Mexico, and graduated from public school in 1979. While in high school he studied real estate and received his Texas Real Estate salesman’s license as soon as he turned 18 and his Real estate broker’s license at…

FIRST AIRED ON JANUARY 10th 2023 (BEST OF) Let's talk about how to improve your tuning on the fiddle. If you're struggling with this, you're not alone! We'll explore three key elements in tuning your hand on the fiddle; where your hand is on the fingerboard, finger spacing and placement, and the art of micro-adjustments. This episode presents a set…

What is it that makes fiddling sound like dance music? Why does it sound so different when you hear a classical violinist play a fiddle tune, what's missing? We're talking about the variety of accents, volume, and quality of tone within the running notes of a fiddle tune. It's what makes the music sound like fiddling! We present a setting of the Fr…

Elaine Zito was born in Chicago and raised in Elk Grove Village until her family moved to Southern California. She graduated from UCSD in San Diego and received her Political Science degree with an emphasis in Latin American Politics. During her tenure at UCSD, she had the opportunity to study in Mexico City. This is where she discovered her love f…

How does jamming help with your fiddle playing and how does practicing help your fiddle playing. We dive into this topic, exploring how each can help you improve on the fiddle and when one might be a little more useful to meet a specific playing goal. Our tune this week is called Sleeping on the Floor, from the French Canadian song Ma Pallaissse by…

This week we hear from New England fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger. Lissa has been performing and recording New England fiddle and folk music for the past 20 years. Her fiddling is one of a kind, intensely danceable, with virtuosic technique and fluidity. She shares what it was like to fiddle as a kid, traveling to fiddle contests in Maine, her exper…

Born in Anaheim, California, Lew Gallo, and his family moved to the San Francisco area when he was nine years old. The move was not unfamiliar to Lew and his siblings. His parents were known to take Sunday drives. As it would get later in the day and no sign of his parents, Lew’s oldest sister would start to cry but Lew was filled with excitement. …

The bow hair can be flat. The bow can tilt away from you. The bow can tilt towards you. How does tilting the bow affect your tone and why and how do different players in different genres use this technique? The tune today is Half Past Four, a tune played by blind fiddler Ed Haley from West Virginia. This setting is from the Baltimore Old-Time Jam. …

Harmonies are a great addition to fiddle tunes, in most cases, and with some exceptions and guidelines. Get the lowdown on when it's appropriate and welcome to harmonize, a little about why you might not want to harmonize in an Irish Jam, and how to get started learning and creating your own harmonies. Our tune is a setting of Boys Them Buzzards ar…

Keith and Joe moved to Costa Rica after many years of living in Arizona. They have been together for 16 years. They both had a dream of living in Costa Rica and running a small hotel. 3 years ago, they finally made it come true, finding the perfect hotel in Uvita Costa Rica. They sold their home in Arizona and bought Nature’s Edge Hotel in March 20…