The Gossip Pups recap their week and then spill the tea on... Pop Culture: Travis Kelce Grotesquerie performance might have given a nod to Taylor Swift, Donna Kelce talks divorce from Ed Kelce, Selena Gomez dances at Sabrina Carpenter Concert. Pup Culture: Police help puppy stuck in sewage drain escape smelly situation and start a full recovery, Do…

I was honored to chat with Bruce Molsky on the Fiddle Studio Podcast this month. Bruce has a new album out with Daryl 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 i…

The Gossip Pups recap their week, talk some Hippo Culture and then they spill the tea on... Pop Culture: Hoda Kotb announces she is leaving the Today Show, Dame Maggie Smith has passed away at age 89, Prince Harry goes to a tattoo parlor in NYC and Lizzie Mcguire on set drama revealed in new book! Pup Culture: Smiley Golden retriever gets helped do…

The Gossip Pups recap their week, their visit to META/Instagram/Facebook headquarters and then they spill the tea on... Pop Culture: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Poster is in the Kansas City Chiefs Box, Zach Bryan apologizes for drunkenly tweeting that Kanye West is better than Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter will star in her own "nonsense" Christmas s…

The Gossip Pups recap their week, their visit to Salem, Mass. and then they spill the tea on... Pop Culture: VMA's Recap, Taylor Swift calls Travis her boyfriend, Taylor Swift returns to Casa Cipriani with Travis, Britney Spears shades Sabrina Carpenter for kissing an alien, Anna Wintour asked Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb to quiet down at the US …

The Gossip Pups recap their week and then they spill the tea on... Pop Culture: Is Taylor Swift the secret MVP of the NFL season opener? The Kansas City Chiefs take the win!, PR Documents from Full Scope circulate about Travis and Taylor break up rumors and a PR relationship, Travis Kelce embraces being Taylor Swift's arm candy, Selena Gomez become…

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 p…

The Gossip Pups recap the rest of their adventures in LONDON, their return to nyc and then they spill the tea on... Pop Culture: Taylor Swift's mansion pool party in Rhode Island, Travis Kelce invests in a race horse named named after Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce & Jason Kelce sign podcast deal with Amazon's Wondery for over 100M, Patrick Mahomes rev…

The Gossip Pups recap their busy week working with Kate Spade New York and then jet setting off across the pond to LONDON for Taylor Swift The Era's Tour and a stunning british holiday!.....then they spill the tea on... Pop Culture: J. Lo and Ben Affleck file for divorce Pup Culture: Dolce & Gabbana release a perfume for dogs! Follow Tinkerbelle an…

The Gossip Pups recap their busy week and then spill the tea on... Pop Culture: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour returns to London after foiled Vienna terrorist attack, Travis Kelce won't propose to Taylor Swift without an ironclad prenup, Taylor Swift drops retitled version of "Thank You aimEe" seemingly aimed at Kayne West and blocks his album from being…

The Gossip Pups recap their busy week and then discuss... Pop Culture: Taylor Swift's Era Tour concerts in London to carry on as scheduled, USA Defeats Brazil to win women's soccer GOLD, Simone Biles treats herself to Hermes purse, Jordan Chiles may lose her Olympic medal, Freeky Friday Band to return Pup Culture: Dog sets home on fire, Loyal dog r…

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 t…

The Gossip Pups recap their busy week and then discuss... Pop Culture: Simone Biles flashes diamond goat necklace as she wins 6th Olympic Gold medal in Paris, 11 surprising rules gymnasts must follow at the Olympics, Mariah Carey is taking her Holiday music on the road again!, and... Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were NOT invited to join the Royal…

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. Let me know what you think! Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Apple …

The Gossip Pups recap their busy week and then discuss... Pop Culture: Taylor Swift performs in Munich at Olympia Stadium - home of the 1972 Summer Olympics, Taylor Swift Reveals she is the Godmother of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds kids, Travis Kelce shoves Chiefs player during training scuffle, Celine Dion perfoms at the Paris Olympics Opening C…

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. Let me know what you think! Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Apple Music, Spotify, or Buzzsprout. Find me on Yo…

The Gossip Pups recap their busy week and then discuss... Pop Culture: Travis Kelce 13th Eras tour concert in Germany, Mama Kelce in new Hallmark Christmas movie, Hello Kitty is NOT a cat, why Kate Middleton is retreating from the public eye after Wimbledon and Kourtney Kardashian's son Reign begs her to "stop" making out with Travis! Pup Culture: …

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…

The Gossip Pups recap their busy week and then discuss... Pop Culture: Travis Kelce wins a karaoke contest, Brittany and Patrick Mahomes' third baby, social media drama surrounding Real Housewives of New York City alums Luanne de Lesseps and Bethenny Frankel's reunion in the Hamptons and Gypsy Rose Blanchard announces she is pregnant! Pup Culture: …

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. Let me know what you think! Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Apple Music, Spotify, or Buzzsprout.…

Ever wondered what it's like to party the night away at the Empire State Building on the 4th of July? This week on Gossip Pups, Tinkerbelle and Belle spill all the juicy details from their exclusive celebration and then spill the tea on... POP CULTURE: Travis Kelce joins Taylor Swift on stage the Eras Tour, Travis Kelce and Julia Roberts exchange a…

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". Let me know what you think! Email me at meganbelle…

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle) discuss their exciting week and the latest pop culture buzz! They're spilling the tea on... POP CULTURE: Gypsy Rose Blanchard's newfound happiness after her divorce, Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce summing up the Eras Tour in London and their royal encounter with Prince William and Princess Char…

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…

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) discuss their busy busy week launching the Tweezerman Pet Collection, hanging with Cyndi Lauper and then they're spilling the tea on.... POP CULTURE: Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour starts in London this weekend!, Justin Timberlake arrested in Sag Harbor on DWI charge and Prince William celebra…

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…

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) discuss their week and then are spilling the tea on.... POP CULTURE: Taylor Swift's energetic fans cause seismic activity AKA earthquakes at Edinburgh Eras Tour, Taylor Swift fangirls over Travis Kelce's Super Bowl ring unboxing on IG livestream, Ariana Grande to continue working to Scooter …

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. …

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) discuss their week and then are spilling the tea on.... POP CULTURE: Shadowy Figure at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Taylor Swift supports friend Cara Delevingne in Cabaret in London, Real Life Baby Reindeer sues Netflix for defamation in $170M lawsuit, Pat Sajak says goodbye to 'Wheel of Fortun…

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. Let me know what you think! Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Apple Music, Spotify,…

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) discuss their week and then are spilling the tea on.... POP CULTURE: Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and more attend Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Madrid, Travis Kelce says he's trying to get into the movies, RHONY alum, Sonja Morgan finally sells NYC townhouse at auction for half its purchase pri…

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…

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) discuss their week and then are spilling the tea on.... POP CULTURE: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour wardrobe malfunction, Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce break their silence on Harrison Butker's homemaker speech, Billie Eilish shades Taylor Swift and Beyonce for 3 hour long shows, Bethenny Frankel sl…

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 …

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) are finally spilling the tea on.... POP CULTURE: A FULL Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce vacation in Lake Como, Taylor Swift applies for "FEMALE RAGE: THE MUSICAL" trademark, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are on two completely different pages in their marriage, Dorinda Medley reveals the 'Housew…

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! Let me know what you think! Email me at meganbeller@fiddlest…

On this FURRRR-MONDAY, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) are finally spilling the tea on.... POP CULTURE: A FULL Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in PARIS revamp recap, Steve Buscemi punched in Random attack while walking in NYC, Meghan Markle wears Princess Diana's Necklace in Nigeria, and Abby Lee Miller: I wasn't invited to 'Dance Moms' reunion b…

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…

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) are LIVE from the OMNI AUSTIN HOTEL DOWNTOWN in Austin, Texas spilling the tea on.... POP CULTURE: The Black Dog releases merch, a Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce in Las Vegas recap, Gypsy Rose Blanchard returns to TikTok and shows off her new nose and look, Dan Schneider sues Quiet on Set produ…

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. Let me know what you think! Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com…

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) discuss their busy travels in Nantucket and then spill the tea on.... POP CULTURE: Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce sit on smae side of the booth during cozy Los Angeles dinner date, Is Taylor Swift adding TTPD to the Eras Tour??, The Black Dog in London is a hit with swifties!, 'Dance Moms' alum…

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. Let me know what you think! Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com…

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) celebrate the new Taylor Swift double album, discuss their busy week and then spill the tea on.... POP CULTURE: Taylor Swift releases The Tortured Poets Department!, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will not be attending the Met Gala, Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her husband's food hoarding and Meg…

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…

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) discuss the solar eclipse and their busy week. Then they spill the tea on... POP CULTURE: O.J. Simpson's kids visited him in finally days before death and signed NDAs, Golden Bachelor couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist are divorcing, Travis Kelce Shakes it off at Live New Heights podcast i…

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…

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) discuss the earthquake, their weekly activities and then spill the tea on... POP CULTURE: Taylor Swift attends pal's low-key birthday party at West Hollywood Bar without Travis Kelce, Gypsy Rose Blanchard reveals she's getting cosmetic surgery, Dorinda Medley challenges RHONY reboot stars to…

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 …

On this FURiday, the #gossippups (Tinkerbelle and Belle ) discuss their travel adventures in Miami Beach at The Nobu Hotel and then spill the tea on... POP CULTURE: Kate Middleton announces Cancer diagnosis, Gypsy Rose Blanchard announces separation from Husband 3 months after prison release, Bethenny Frankel speaks out about allegedly being punche…

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…