Song practice guide
How to Practice Scarborough Fair
Simon & Garfunkel's 'Scarborough Fair' (a centuries-old English ballad) is one of the most-played fingerpicked folk songs ever recorded. The Dorian-mode melody, the smooth chord changes, and the haunting lyric make it a milestone for serious fingerstyle guitarists and folk singers.
Song Details
- Key
- Am
- Tempo
- 90 BPM
- Time
- 3/4
- Style
- waltz
Structure
What to Focus On
Smooth chord changes in Dorian mode (D minor with raised 6th). Fingerpicked accompaniment. Singing the haunting modal melody with breath support.
Practice Tips
- 1
The mode is the song. The melody never resolves with the standard minor cadence, that's intentional.
- 2
Fingerpicking is the original arrangement. Practice it slowly before adding the vocal.
- 3
The Simon & Garfunkel arrangement is the modern reference, but the song dates back centuries.
Why This Song
It's the great modal folk standard, and a fingerstyle milestone.
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