Song Tabs

 The original “Scarborough Fair” is a traditional English ballad, famously arranged by Simon & Garfunkel with a haunting, fingerpicked guitar part and layered harmonies. Their version is gentle and flowing, which is helpful for guiding the overall mood when you play this song on guitar.

Chords and Progression

The song uses simple chords: Em, Bm, D, G, and A. They’re all open chords except for Bm, which is typically played as a barre chord. Beginners can use a simplified version of Bm (just play the top three strings at the 2nd fret) if the full barre is difficult.

Strumming and Rhythm

To capture the song’s gentle, folk feel, use a slow, even strumming pattern such as: down, down-up, down, down-up (D, D-U, D, D-U). Alternatively, you can experiment with fingerpicking (thumb and fingers plucking the strings individually), which matches the original version.

Tips for Beginners

1. Practice switching between Em and D, as these transitions repeat frequently.
2. For the Bm chord, take your time; use a partial barre or just play the bottom three strings if needed.
3. Keep your strumming soft and steady to match the song’s mood.
4. Play slowly at first, focusing on clean chord changes before speeding up.

With patience and practice, you’ll capture the gentle, flowing feel of this classic folk song.