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…

Find SHAWN HUDACHKO https://comicselitecomics.com/ Instagram: @comicselitestore/ https://tidalwavecomicpublishing.com/ Patreon: /shawnscomics2/collections Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawn.hudachko Instagram: @shawnhudachko https://shawnscomics.com/ Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-di…

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. Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Apple Music, Spotify, or Buzzsprou…

Find AVI EHRLICH https://www.silversprocket.net/ Twitter: @silversprocket_ Instagram: @silversprocket Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Producer: Stephanie Gerk Research: Anthony Militano Have something to tell us? Ema…

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. Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Apple Music, Spotify, or Buzzsprout. Find me on YouTube and Bandcamp. Here are…

Find MIKE MARTS madcavestudios.com Twitter: @mikemarts Instagram: @mikejmarts The Ninja 9: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-ninja-9/1542486988 Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Producer: Stephanie Gerk Research: A…

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…

Find MORGAN PERRY Instagram: @geauxta Twitter: @geauxta TikTok: @geauxta Square Enix: square-enix-books.com Official Twitter @SquareEnixBooks Official Instagram @squareenixbooks Comic Shop Manga Starter List (provided by Morgan Perry All Ages Yotsuba& (Yen Press) A Man and His Cat (Square Enix Manga & Books) Chi’s Sweet Home (Kodanasha) Cat Comics …

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. Email me at meganbeller@fiddlestudio.com. Listen and subscribe on Apple Music, Spotify, or Buzzsprout. Find me on YouTube and Band…

Find CHRISTINA MERKLER Instagram: @christinamerkler https://www.lunardistribution.com/ service@lunardistribution.com. https://www.dcbservice.com/ https://www.instocktrades.com/ Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Produce…

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…

Find STEVE ANDERSON: https://thirdeyecomics.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/thirdeyecomics Instagram: @thirdeyecomics Online store: https://shop.thirdeyecomics.com/ Annapolis Comics Location: https://thirdeyecomics.com/locations/annapolis-comics/ Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-mar…

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…

Find JOE MURRAY: https://comicspro.clubexpress.com/ https://stores.comichub.com/captain_blue_hen_comics Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Producer: Stephanie Gerk Research: Anthony Militano Have something to tell us? E…

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…

Find ED GREENBERG: Collector’s Paradise - https://www.comicsandcards.net/ Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Producer: Stephanie Gerk Research: Anthony Militano Have something to tell us? Email the show at: info@pranadm…

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. …

Find DAVE BAKER: https://www.heydavebaker.com/ Instagram and twitter: @XDaveBakerX Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Producer: Stephanie Gerk Research: Anthony Militano Have something to tell us? Email the show at: inf…

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…

Find DJANGO BOHREN & JEFF FIGLEY: thecomicsplace.com comicshopassistant.com Data B.R.O.S. Inc. - https://open.spotify.com/show/5J44ywguZNz01ABzlt6cQa?si=96585f89b7454945 The Incredible Autonomous Employee episode - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3VP3rKHpJLpBfuY60RByBN?si=e2f41be9d1c147f0 The Perfectly Acceptable Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.c…

Find CHIP MOSHER: DSTLRY: https://dstlry.co/ Subscribe to their newsletter here! Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Producer: Stephanie Gerk Research: Anthony Militano Have something to tell us? Email the show at: info@…

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 …

Find GOBLIN MARKET: Raven Rules: https://web.archive.org/web/20020119230440/http://ravensrules.com/ Nerdy Chicago: https://nerdychicago.com/ Goblin Market: https://goblinmkt.com/ Instagram: @goblin.mkt Facebook: /GoblinMkt Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom…

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…

Find JORDAN PLOSKY: https://republic.com/zoop https://zoop.gg/ Insta:@wearezoop Twitter: @wearezoop hello@wearezoop.com Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Producer: Stephanie Gerk Research: Anthony Militano Have somethi…

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…

Find DAVID & CANDICE CRAIG: https://www.theblackbirdroost.com/ Instagram: @blackbirdcch Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Producer: Stephanie Gerk Research: Anthony Militano Have something to tell us? Email the show at…

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…

Find BRIAN GARSIDE: https://briangarside.com/ https://info.managecomics.com/ Instagram: @briangee Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Producer: Stephanie Gerk Research: Anthony Militano Have something to tell us? Email t…

Find JULIA WALCHUK: Instagram: @j_woodchuck Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Producer: Stephanie Gerk Research: Anthony Militano Have something to tell us? Email the show at: info@pranadm.com Batman: The Golden Age Vo…

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…

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…

ATOM! FREEMAN Comic Industry Insiders: where our goal is to get to know the people behind the scenes in the comic book industry and uncover the secrets that will help you understand and grow your own business or career in comics. Every episode, join host Atom! Freeman as he sits down with industry guests to unravel those secrets. In this BONUS epis…

Find BRANDON SCHATZ & DANIC LEBLANC https://variantedmonton.com/ https://theindirectmarket.substack.com/ https://www.comicsbeat.com/author/bschatz/ BSKY: danicahere.bsky.social Instagram: @soupytoasterson/ Follow Comic Industry Insiders on Twitter: @pranadms Instagram: @pranadms LinkedIn: /prana-direct-market-solutions/ Follow Atom! Freeman on Twit…

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…

Comic Industry Insiders: where our goal is to get to know the people behind the scenes in the comic book industry and uncover the secrets that will help you understand and grow your own business or career in comics. Every episode, join host Atom! Freeman as he sits down with industry guests to unravel those secrets. Find DIRK WOOD: Instagram: @dirk…

MARTIN CASAS Comic Industry Insiders: where our goal is to get to know the people behind the scenes in the comic book industry and uncover the secrets that will help you understand and grow your own business or career in comics. Every episode, join host Atom! Freeman as he sits down with industry guests to unravel those secrets. Find MARTIN at: htt…

Comic Industry Insiders: where our goal is to get to know the people behind the scenes in the comic book industry and uncover the secrets that will help you understand and grow your own business or career in comics. Every episode, join host Atom! Freeman as he sits down with industry guests to unravel those secrets. ComicsPRO https://comicspro.club…

Comic Industry Insiders: where our goal is to get to know the people behind the scenes in the comic book industry and uncover the secrets that will help you understand and grow your own business or career in comics. Every episode, join host Atom! Freeman as he sits down with industry guests to unravel those secrets. Find DIMITRIOS at: https://www.a…

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 …

Comic Industry Insiders: where our goal is to get to know the people behind the scenes in the comic book industry and uncover the secrets that will help you understand and grow your own business or career in comics. Every episode, join host Atom! Freeman as he sits down with industry guests to unravel those secrets. Find KU on: https://www.linkedin…

Comic Industry Insiders: where our goal is to get to know the people behind the scenes in the comic book industry and uncover the secrets that will help you understand and grow your own business or career in comics. Every episode, join host Atom! Freeman as he sits down with industry guests to unravel those secrets. Find MARC at: https://alteregoco…

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…

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…

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…

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…