Songs · Beginner
How to play Scarborough Fair on violin
A haunting modal folk tune in 3/4. It is short, stays in first position, and teaches you the sound of the Dorian mode.
- Composer
- Traditional (English)
- Key
- D minor (Dorian)
- Time signature
- 3/4
- Tempo
- 76–96 bpm
- Strings used
- D and A
- Level
- Beginner
The notes
D — A — A B A G — F — D
Finger numbers
- D string: D = open (0), E = 1st, F = 2nd (low), G = 3rd
- A string: A = open (0), B = 1st
Why this piece is worth learning
The low second finger and the long held notes make this an ideal bridge between three-note beginner tunes and real repertoire.
Step by step
1. Count in three
Each bar is three beats and most notes last a whole bar. Tap the pulse while you play.
2. Set the low F
The 2nd finger sits next to the 1st. Tune it against the open D.
3. Full bows on held notes
One bar equals one whole bow at 84 bpm. Practise the division on open strings first.
4. Shape each phrase
Let the sound bloom slightly in the middle of every long note rather than sitting flat.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
Sharp F
This tune needs a low second finger. A high F# turns it into a different mode entirely.
Bow runs out mid-bar
Slow the bow: three counts for the full length, not two.
Losing the 3/4 pulse
Use the free metronome with an accent on beat one.
A 15-minute practice plan
- •3 min — D minor scale with the low 2nd finger
- •3 min — whole bows on open D, three counts each
- •5 min — melody at 76 bpm
- •3 min — melody with a D drone
Practise Scarborough Fair with real-time feedback
Violin AI listens while you play and scores your intonation note by note — free to start.
Questions
What key is Scarborough Fair in?
It is usually played in D Dorian — D minor with a raised sixth — which gives it that floating, medieval sound.
Is Scarborough Fair good for beginners?
Yes. It is slow, short, entirely in first position, and one of the fastest ways to sound genuinely expressive.
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