Episodes
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We’re having a conversation with Oliver Scanlon, a fiddler and traditional musician based in Syracuse NY. Originally from Vermont, Oliver learned fiddle from the great Pete Sutherland. He played, performed and recorded extensively with Pete over the last 10 years of Pete’s life with Pete’s Posse, playing for hundreds of contradances, concerts and festivals for their nine years as a trio, releasing eight recording projects along the way! Oliver's current dance band is Stove Dragon and he does professional sound and teaches lessons on fiddle and mandolin.
Oliver and I talked about Pete Sutherland a great deal in this conversation as we discussed Oliver's path from learning the fiddle and immediately connecting to folk and traditional music—though perhaps not for the reason you might think—to how he ended up touring the country just out of high school. He talks about lessons he learned along the way and some interesting takes on the different styles he plays. Oliver is a fiddler who does sound and gives us his personal take and recommendation for specific microphones and pickups to use or avoid!
After many of my interviews we have trouble ending the chat—Oliver and I kept on talking about teaching after I'd officially wrapped things up so I stuck that bit on the end of the episode.
Oliver's website
Pete's PosseReach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
An interview with West Virginia Old-Time fidder and fiddle teacher Dakota Karper. We talk about fiddle and banjo, starting her folk school the Cat and the Fiddle, improv and interpretation in Old-Time tunes, teaching beginners and developing young musicians using the Old-Time repertoire, and her Patreon which is an awesome resource!
Dakota Karper, hailing from rural West Virginia, grew up immersed in the rich traditions of Appalachian Old-time music. From an early age, she embraced folk music, studying under master fiddler Joe Herrmann and honing her craft at the Augusta Heritage Center. Dakota also deepened her skills with classical violin at the Shenandoah Arts Academy in Winchester, VA. After spending seven years in Baltimore, she returned to Capon Bridge, WV, where she now teaches Appalachian fiddle and performs regularly throughout the region.
Dakota's website: https://www.dakotakarper.com
The Cat and the Fiddle School: https://www.thecatandthefiddlewv.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dakotakarper
Bandcamp: https://dakotakarper.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dakotarkReach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
Missing episodes?
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I was honored to chat with Bruce Molsky on the Fiddle Studio Podcast this month. Bruce has a new album out with Darol Anger called Lockdown Breakdown. We talk about getting into Old-Time and sticking with it over the years, trying to sound like your heroes, picking up new tunes, the Berklee American Roots music department, and what he listens for in old recordings.
Bruce breaks down singing and fiddling at the same time and how to develop that slippery skill. We hear a track from the new album, Can I Change My Mind.
Bruce Molsky has been playing and studying Old-Time music for 50 years, and for much of that time teaching as well. He famously learned fiddle and banjo from folks down in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina in the 70s, including Tommy Jarrell among others. He’s been performing and collaborating ever since, has over dozen great albums to check out, and he teaches Old-Time music at the Berklee School of Music and online at Peghead Nation.
You can see Bruce on the BBC TV “Transatlantic Sessions” with Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, and on “David Holt’s State of Music” on PBS. He stays active touring and recording with longtime collaborators Darol Anger, Tony Trischka and Mountain Drifters’ Allison de Groot.
Bruce Molsky: http://brucemolsky.com
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/brucemolsky
Peghead Nation Course
Lockdown Breakdown on Bandcamp
Youtube: http://youtube.com/brucemolskymusic
Email: [email protected]Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
Klezmer violinist and composer Alicia Svigals is widely considered to be the world's leading klezmer fiddler, often called the Queen of Klezmer. She was a founder and a longtime member of the Grammy-winning group the Klezmatics. She has performed with and written music for violinist Itzhak Perlman. Alicia Svigals has worked with everyone in every possible way: soundtracks, compositions, genres, in plays, on tv, and on stages all over the world. She has a brand new album out called Fidl Afire!
Alicia Svigals: https://aliciasvigals.com/
Fidl Afire Album: https://borschtbeat.bandcamp.com/album/fidl-afire
YouTube video on krehts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyz0Dg-_ssUReach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
Hey, it's episode 100! We hear from Charley Beller, Irish flute and guitar player and contra dance musician from Baltimore, Maryland and my spouse. Charley has played guitar on most of the podcast episodes, but this is the first time he shares on the podcast!
What's it like to learn a dozen musical instruments? Why would a person practice all the time? How does Charley view the first few months of learning a new skill?
We also chat about Clifftop and Charley asks me about a few questions as well. The tune is Greg Hooven's Won't Come Till Morning and the audio is from the Clifftop Open Fiddle Contest.
Going forward the Fiddle Studio Podcast will be monthly, on the first Tuesday of the month.Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
Why does the fiddle squeak? If only we knew. Hang on, we do know! I offer lots of diagnosis and advice for how to get to the bottom of squeaking. Together we can not squeak as much.
The tune for this week is Marion Reece's version of Cumberland Gap.Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
What is the best age to start? There is an exact and definite best age to begin playing the fiddle and if you don't start then you're doomed. I'm kidding.
The tune for this week is Horses in the Canebreak.Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
People play the fiddle for all kinds of reasons, and as a fiddler and fiddle teacher they often tell me all about it. I talk about some of the variety of reasons I've heard from adult fiddlers for why they're voluntarily choosing to take up this rewarding and challenging new hobby!
Our Tune this week is a funky Sally in the Garden I got from Marion Sumner's recording.Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
Busking is playing in the street for money. I've done it. In fact, I've done in New York City in the subway! A few thoughts on busking, and some busking stories.
Fun tune this week, Old Aunt Jenny With Her Night Cap On.Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
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".Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
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, a G major reel based on West Virginia fiddler Burl Hammond's playing. This tune is very fun to play!Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
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.
Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
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 MA in Irish Traditional Music Performance from the University of Limerick in 2001. She toured nationally with the Irish supergroup Gaelic Storm from 2003-2007.
Ellery and I talk about teaching and learning, switching from classical to fiddle, all about the Irish roll (with tips!), and how three former Gaelic Storm fiddlers formed the Bow tides and how they work together as a fiddle trio. We had a great time!
The tune this week is York Street Stepper by Ellery Klein.
Ellery Klein's website is elleryklein.net
Find the Bow Tides at thebowtides.comReach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
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.Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
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 imagine all over the US, and recording albums including “Dancing Again” and “Rawr!”. He is a prolific composer, creator of tunes and songs, his singer-songwriter album is “That We Could Find a Way to Be”.
Andrew and I talk about early training in genre dabbling, the depths to which music can be explored, the purpose of dance music, choices in production, perfectionism and exploring a musical choice that wasn't expected, and much more. We touch on why Andrew stopped playing for dances and why a crowdfunding campaign is an opportunity to make a connection and personalize a tiny part of the content wave that flows over us. Andrew describes some new choices the Faux Paws are making with their current album.Find the musical multiverse of Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand's music on Bandcamp.
You can hear Noah VanNorstrand's interview for the Fiddle Studio Podcast here.
The tune for this week is a tune of Andrew's called Lost River.Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
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 AngusYA or chapter books:
The New Policemen
Little House on the Prairie
A Girl of the Limberlost
Fiddle FeverThriller/Detective:
Violin conspiracy
An Equal Music
As I walked Out One Midsummer Morning
The Busker
The Fifth String
Fiddle Game
Keeper of Secrets
The Gentle Care for Broken ThingWar:
Long March Home
Simon the Fiddler
Cold Mountain
Master & CommanderSouth/Mountain Culture:
Fiddler’s Ghost
The Devil’s Dream
The Insolent Breed
The Grapes of Wrath
Refuge by Dot Jackson
Healing:
Come and Go, Molly Snow
Soldier's Joy
Paddy on the HardwoodRomance:
Carnal Innocence
Fiddler’s Dream
The Devil and Preston Black
Our tune this week is the Irish jig Donnybrook Fair.Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
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!Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
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 soulful singing bring a powerful energy to the stage. In addition to being a performer, Rachel is passionate about teaching. They have taught fiddle, banjo and guitar at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins WV, at Sore Fingers Summer school in the UK, and different various weekend workshops from the hills of West Virginia to Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, London and Wales.
Contact Rachel at [email protected]Rachel's website is https://www.racheleddymusic.com/
The tune this week is Rose in the Mountain, played live by Rachel on the podcast!
Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
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.Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! -
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.Reach me at [email protected]
Bandcamp
YouTube
Fiddle Studio books
My website for learning to fiddle is Fiddle Studio which has courses and a mailing list and my Top 10 Fiddle Tunes! - Show more
