Scarborough Fair For Two Violins
Scarborough Fair is one of the most hauntingly beautiful traditional English folk songs, and its gentle, modal melody makes it a wonderful piece for two violins. Whether you are a teacher pairing with a student, two students playing together, or chamber music partners exploring folk repertoire, this arrangement offers a rich musical experience that is both accessible and deeply satisfying.
About the Song
Scarborough Fair is an English ballad with roots stretching back to the Middle Ages. It was collected and published in the 19th century and gained worldwide recognition through the iconic recording by Simon & Garfunkel in 1966. The song is set in the Dorian mode — a scale similar to natural minor but with a raised 6th degree — which gives it its distinctive, ancient, and ethereal quality.
The lyrics traditionally ask a former lover to perform a series of impossible tasks, and the melody carries a sense of longing and mystery that translates beautifully to the violin.
The Dorian Mode on Violin
Playing in the Dorian mode is an excellent introduction to modal music for string students. In the key of D Dorian (starting on D), the scale uses the same notes as C major but begins and ends on D, creating a minor-flavored sound with a characteristic raised 6th (B natural instead of B♭). This raised 6th is what gives Dorian its unique brightness within an otherwise minor context.
For violinists, D Dorian sits very naturally in first position and is a wonderful gateway to understanding how scales and modes shape the emotional character of music.
Playing as a Duo
A two-violin arrangement of Scarborough Fair typically features:
- Violin I — carries the melody, staying close to the original folk tune with expressive phrasing and dynamic shaping.
- Violin II — provides harmonic support and countermelody, often moving in longer note values or gentle arpeggiated figures beneath the melody.
Playing in a duo is one of the most valuable experiences for developing string players. It requires careful listening, matching of tone and vibrato, sensitivity to balance, and the ability to lead and follow simultaneously.
What to Focus On When Practicing
- Blend and balance. The melody should always sing above the accompaniment. Violin II players should listen carefully and adjust their bow weight so the melody is never covered.
- Match tone and vibrato. When both violins play together, aim for a unified sound. Listen to each other and adjust the speed and width of vibrato to blend.
- Phrasing together. Agree on where the phrases breathe and swell. A slight crescendo toward the peak of each phrase and a gentle taper at the end will bring the music to life.
- Intonation in unison and harmony. When the two parts move in parallel or meet on the same note, listen carefully for tuning. Pure intervals ring and resonate — use that resonance as your guide.
- Tempo and rubato. Scarborough Fair benefits from a gentle flexibility of tempo — a slight broadening at phrase endings and a natural forward motion through the middle of phrases. Agree on these moments together before playing.
The Value of Chamber Music for Beginners
Introducing students to duo and chamber music early in their training develops listening skills, ensemble awareness, and musical independence that solo practice alone cannot provide. Scarborough Fair is an ideal first duo — its simplicity of melody, its modal beauty, and its emotional depth make it a piece that students will return to again and again as their playing matures.
by Rozanna Weinberger