Fiddle Studio Meg Wobus Beller

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.Ellery graduated with a major in instrumental music from Cincinnati’s public magnet School for Creative and Performing Arts in 1992. She received an...

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 YouTube and Bandcamp. Here are my Fiddle Studio books and my website Fiddle Studio where you can find my courses and mailing list and sign up for my ...

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 fiddle and guitar and touring with his family band Great Bear and dominating the contra dance scene, playing every contra dance and festival you can ima...

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 musicJust Enough and Not Too MuchFiddling SamNina’s WaltzA Fiddle for AngusYA or chapter books: The New PolicemenLittle House on the PrairieA Girl of the LimberlostFiddle FeverThriller/Detective:Violin conspiracyAn Equal MusicAs I walked ...

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 subscribe on Apple Music, Spotify, or Buzzsprout. Find me on YouTube and Bandcamp. Here are my Fiddle Studio books and my website Fiddle Studio where you c...

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 Eddy (they/them) hails from West Virginia, where they grew up steeped in Appalachian music and dance. Rachel’s multi-instrumental talents and sou...