Scarborough Fair · From Zero to Mozart

Scarborough Fair is a very old English ballad, and it's the classic example of a tune in Dorian mode — a minor key with one note lifted. This is a traditional setting, in first position, in 3/4 (a slow waltz feel — one strong beat, two lighter).

The key: E Dorian

E Dorian is E natural minor with the 6th degree raised — C♯ instead of C. That one change makes the tune sound less mournful than plain minor, more open and wistful. Same key signature as G major and E minor (one sharp); the C♯ is written in as an accidental.

Phrase 1 — "Are you going to Scarborough Fair?"

92 bpm

The opening line, arching up to C♯ (high 2 on the A string — the Dorian note) and settling home on E. Long, smooth strokes, one per beat; let each bar's first note lean. The tune breathes at the barline before the last note.

Hear Dorian against plain minor

The same phrase with C natural — plain E natural minor:

92 bpm

One note different — C natural (low 2) instead of C♯ (high 2). Now it's plain E minor: darker, more closed. Play the two versions back to back. That half step is the whole character of the mode.

Phrase 2 — "Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme"

92 bpm

The second phrase starts high on E and steps down home. The C♯ appears again — it's the tune's fingerprint. Keep the bow long and connected; this is a lullaby, not a march.

The usual mistake

Playing the C♯ flat, out of the habit that "it's a minor tune so the 6th should be low." In Dorian it's high — that's the point of the mode. Place it as a proper high 2nd finger, up against the 3rd. The other mistake: choppy separate notes. Scarborough Fair should sound like one long, unhurried breath per phrase.