93 episodes

The glasses clink and the talk and laughter grow louder. In the corner of the pub, musicians sit and play traditional dance tunes that make your feet want to stomp and slide. Join fiddler Meg Wobus Beller as she brings you along into the world of fiddling and traditional music, from bow-grips and double stops to Old-Time tunes and Irish jigs. 

Fiddle Studio Meg Wobus Beller

    • Music
    • 4.9 • 21 Ratings

The glasses clink and the talk and laughter grow louder. In the corner of the pub, musicians sit and play traditional dance tunes that make your feet want to stomp and slide. Join fiddler Meg Wobus Beller as she brings you along into the world of fiddling and traditional music, from bow-grips and double stops to Old-Time tunes and Irish jigs. 

    BEST OF: Double Stops and Drones (Tail Toddle)

    BEST OF: Double Stops and Drones (Tail Toddle)

    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 from a workshop with Jeremy Kittel at Fiddle Hell. The artist mentioned is Jeremy Kittel.Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com.Listen and su...

    • 8 min
    Ellery Klein (York Street Stepper)

    Ellery Klein (York Street Stepper)

    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...

    • 39 min
    Harmonizing on the fiddle (Stoney Steps)

    Harmonizing on the fiddle (Stoney Steps)

    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 ...

    • 8 min
    Andrew VanNorstrand (Lost River)

    Andrew VanNorstrand (Lost River)

    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...

    • 40 min
    Novels with fiddlers (Donnybrook Fair)

    Novels with fiddlers (Donnybrook Fair)

    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 ...

    • 14 min
    Trying a Tune in Different Keys (Maid of Mt. Kisco)

    Trying a Tune in Different Keys (Maid of Mt. Kisco)

    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...

    • 11 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
21 Ratings

21 Ratings

fiddlefiend1 ,

Digestible and practical fiddle tips

This is one of my go-to podcasts for fiddle advice! Meg presents ideas and tunes that are useful for all levels in a super down to earth way. Give it a listen!

Idaho Fiddler ,

Absolutely delightful & extremely helpful!

What a treat to spend time with a fiddler (and first-rate fiddle teacher) who makes you feel like you’re in the welcoming company of a generous, experienced mentor who wants to help you along in your own musical journey.
I have spent many hours with Meg’s fine, three-book instruction series, both the print and Kindle versions and have learned a ton from them. These podcasts are indeed icing on that tasty cake, taking one deeper into the learning process and opening a door into how this talented musician approaches the world of fiddling.

Heather Martley ,

Look forward to this podcast every week

I love this podcast because it has so many great tips that cross over and in between the different areas of fiddling and violin playing - classical, Irish, old time, contra – it all fits together. It’s perfect that Meg has such an extensive classical background but has spent her entire life fiddling too. That blending and experience is so useful. Plus the podcast is fun and entertaining! I really appreciate the tune recordings and music at the end of each podcast. The Fiddle Studio website is a great resource too. Thank you!

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