Fiddle Studio

It's never too late to start fiddling!Updated in 2025, the second edition of Fiddle Studio Book 1 fixes errors, updates links and product info, and adds even more easy, beginner fiddle tunes.Learn the fiddle from scratch from setting up to play and holding the instrument to playing easy tunes. In this book Megan Wobus Beller, the founder of Fiddle Studio, takes the tunes and techniques from a whole year of fiddle lessons and puts it all in one place.It's the information you need to start with no experience, and you can reference it again and again. Meg covers the common questions and concerns and answers with her expert perspective from 25 years of teaching. Over 30 fiddle tunes are organized in an intuitive order that builds new skills one at a time. Each tune is presented first with fingerings and strings, and then in standard notation with chords. You do not need to read music to learn the tunes in this book!Book 1 topics (links and prices updated in 2nd edition): fiddle, bow, accessories, tapes, rosin, tuning, bowgrip, set up, hand position, bowing, reading, high and low fingers, tension, the pinky, highway, hitting the right string, playing by ear, singing, string care, listening, playlists, the mirror, mutes, finger care, slow practice, writing in, teacher ears, breaks, playing with others, sessions per week, and planning practice.Book 1 scales and tunes (tunes updated 2nd edition):A major: Boil Them Cabbage Down, Cripple Creek in A, Britches Full of Stitches, Candy Girl, Steamboat Quickstep, Jenny's Gone to Linton, Speed the Plow, Jessica's Polka, Margaret's WaltzA Major Modal: Old Joe Clark, Sandy Boys, June AppleD Major: Kerry Polka, Angeline the Baker, Spotted Pony, Julianne Johnson, Daniel of the Sun, John Ryan's Polka, Off She GoesA minor: The Bear Dance, Star of the County Down, Griffin Road, Hommage Led Zepplin, Frosty MorningG Major: Mari's Wedding, Golden Slippers, Rakes of Mallow, Rebel RaidD Major Modal: Bill Harte's JigE minor: The Wren, The Dancing Bear, The Butterfly, Drowsy MaggiePlus: St. Antoine's Reel, and All the RageFor teachers: Megan brings a unique perspective from studying classical violin and music education at Eastman, Suzuki training, and growing up fiddling. If you teach violin and are looking for authentic fiddle tunes your students will love, this book has all the tunes you need for students in Suzuki Book 1 and 2. If you are a fiddle teacher looking for a classical perspective for your students, this book covers topics in depth such as bow grip, left wrist, gear, and practicing.

Take your next steps with Fiddle Studio!Updated in 2025, the second edition of Fiddle Studio Book 2 fixes errors, updates links and product info, and adds even more fiddle tunes.Learn more tunes in more styles and bring your technique to the next level. In this book Megan Wobus Beller, the founder of Fiddle Studio, takes the tunes and techniques from the second year of fiddle lessons and puts it all in one place.These are techniques and tunes for players with some experience looking to take their next steps. Over 35 fiddle tunes are organized into reels, jigs, and old-time tunes. Each tune is presented first with fingerings, and then in standard notation with chords.Book 2 topics: technique review, holding with your head, thumb inside the bow, basic music theory, reading notes, reading rhythm, up and down bows, slurs, common keys, how to practice scales, finger blocking, independent fingers, taking tapes off, light fingers, sliding to the note, test your hearing, perfect pitch, relative pitch, learning intervals, jumping in, always repeat, playing it twice, sets, making your tune list, sight reading, evaluating your practice routine, practicing longer.Book 2 tunes:Old-Time tunes: Old Billy Hell, Horses in the Canebreak, Old Aunt Jenny, Cumberland Gap, Chinquapin Hunting, Greasy Coat, Redwing, Kitchen Girl, Fly Around my Pretty Little Miss, Red Prairie Dawn, Gilsaw, Porter's Reel, Squirrel Hunters, ShippensportJigs: My Darling Asleep, Behind the Bush in the Garden, Blackthorn Stick, Rolling Waves, Indian Point, Irishman's Heart to the Ladies, Out on the Ocean, Do You Want Any More?, Swallowtail Jig, Calliope HouseReels: Reel de Montreal, Bus Stop Reel, Come Dance and Sing, Devil's Dream, St. Joseph's Reel, The Banshee, Cat on the Roof, The Abbey, The Reconciliation, The Congress, Silver Spear, Evit GabrielPlus waltzes Si Bheag Si Mor, The Crested Hens and The Pig Ankle RagFor teachers: Megan brings a unique perspective from studying classical violin and music education at Eastman, Suzuki training, and growing up fiddling. If you teach violin and are looking for authentic fiddle tunes your students will love, this book has tunes for beginner and advanced beginner fiddlers in Suzuki Book 2 and beyond. If you are a fiddle teacher who wants to support your students with musical know-how and technique pulled from the classical world this book has you covered.