Jessica Comeau- Scarborough Fair (Arranged for mountain dulcimer by Jessica Comeau) Celtic/English
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- This song is now featured on my NEW ALBUM, "Faerie Memories: Fantasy Music with an Acoustic Heart": • NEW ALBUM: Jessica Com...
“Scarborough Fair” is an old English ballad that may have descended from the Scottish ballad “The Elfin Knight” (Child Ballad #2). On one level, the lyrics of the song describe a lover giving his beloved a series of impossible tasks, perhaps to assert the impossibility of their reconciliation. However, the song’s connection with “The Elfin Knight” could reveal another layer of meaning. The ballad of the elfin knight is a riddle song in which a maiden must match the wit of an elfin knight in order to resist his advances. (Key of D minor; C-G-C tuning, capo 1).
I offer some simple arrangements of this song in my book "Mountain Dulcimer Wildflowers," which can be found here: www.jessicacom...
www.JessicaComeauDulcimer.com
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I love UA-cam I learn something pretty much every day. Today I came across the mountain dulcimer for the first time, and I'm 69. The tune I know well from my schooldays in the UK, but I've never heard a more beautiful version. Thank you Jessica.
You are very kind, Stephen! Thank you so much for writing. This magical song has been a favorite of mine since I was a child, and it is my joy to be able to share my interpretation of it. I would be interested in hearing a version that you knew from your childhood! :-)
I doubt very much if I could find a version. I know we learned a number of English, Welsh and Scottish folk tunes. We also learned folk dances, both taught be a lovely older teacher called Polly Roden.
It would probably have been based on Cecil Sharp's 100 English Folk Songs
archive.org/details/onehundredenglis00shar You will doubtless know of this.
How lovely... I know I am going to spend many happy hours with this volume, Stephen! Thank you very much. :-) I once took a class with Ralph Lee Smith, who introduced us to some beautiful songs from this book. What a joy to have access to it!
Magnifique.
Sometimes Angels lead heart and hands of humans.
God Bless her in front of eternity
This made me feel nostalgic for a time I never even lived in
I know the feeling well, Spencer! I am glad that my music brought you to that place... :-)
I lived in that time. I was a teenager when Simon and Garfunkel released Scarborough Fair. A perfect song for mountain dulcimer - nostalgic and mournful. Thank you, Jessica.
My mother played dulcimer when I was younger. This brings back memories!
Possibly the finest arrangement I've ever heard. I'd give that an A+++++
Haha! :-) I am happy that my arrangement resonates with you, Marty. Thank you for listening!
Beautiful
I have been playing the dulcimer for 17 years and this is one of the most amazing pieces I have come across. Thank you very much for posting.
You are very kind, R Shapiro! I love to play this song, and I was happy to share it with you. :-)
this is the best interpretation of scarborough fair played on a dulcimer i've seen yet
"Scarborough Fair" is an inspiration in itself to me; the beautiful melody guided me in interpreting this song... Thank you so much for your kindness and for taking the time to listen! :-)
NOW I like mountain dulcimer. At last real music on a mountain dulcimer.
There are many styles that are suited to the mountain dulcimer, "pensive," but I am glad that you have found one that resonates with you! Thank you! :-)
@@JessicaComeauDulcimer What I meant is, that you use real diatonism and not just "modal drones" which is usually the standard. Therefore more musical, and more challenging.
That was so gorgeous that I am speechless. I want to be able to play as well as you eventually. You are amazing!
Oh my, I've never heard such a BEAUTIFUL performance of this tune!! Lovely!
That's so sweet of you! Thank you for listening!
That is beautiful. I learned wind instruments growing up, but listening to you makes me want to learn this. My mom grew up in Appalachia. We have little concerts in my family still. No one plays this. I think I'd like to try.
Thank you so much, ConstantCompanion! Please let me know if there is any way I can help you as you begin. Perhaps my “How to Play the Mountain Dulcimer” videos might be able to give you some guidance: www.jessicacomeaudulcimer.com/lessons-and-tablature.html
Oh my. I sincerely hope you get to play the instrument, that sound is so attached to the music from the Appalachians, I hope you grab the opportunity to renew the tradition.
I would too. My folks bought me a dulcimer as a teenager at a medieval fair. This was many years ago I never learned to play it except a little strumming. I’m much older now- is it still possible to learn to play it well? I didn’t realize it had this kind of possibility!
So beautiful, Jessica, and you look like a fairy princess!
@@leslijones4443Hello, just seen your comment and will dare to boldly answer your question to the divine Jessica: yes, you are still in time! Sir Dulcimer is a most gentle fellow and will let you enjoy playing music starting any age. Btw, Jessica is coming to Europe, namely Italy for the first time soon, and I can't wait for it to happen. Cheers, ciao and slán!
Yes, of course you can!
No matter who plays this beautiful, heavenly song l always feel b the same.🌎 peaceful
Your flatpicking is terrific and the music is beautiful.
You bare your soul when you play. This is great. You are a unique woman. I enjoyed this much. I love the smile you give at the end of your videos.
I love to play "Scarborough Fair"... Thank you, Alex!
Really nice and sweet version, Jessica, the dulcimer sounds very melancholic and "ancient"...
Thank you, ML... You have described well the spirit with which I sought to infuse this song. :-)
How beautiful! I never heard a dulcimer before. This young woman is so talented!!
Beautiful arrangement, Jessica. I don't know how I've not heard this before today 🥰
Thanks for stopping by, Dean! :-) I'm glad you enjoyed it... The beautiful mystery of the melody simply begged for more mysterious improvisations and interludes... :-)
@@JessicaComeauDulcimer well you certainly nailed it on this arrangement. Thanks so much for posting 🥰
I just got a dulcimer for Christmas and I had no idea what one was up until now. After listening to you play it, I’m very excited to learn how to play it!
That’s exciting news, LexieLou! Enjoy making the mountain dulcimer your own... :-)
Haunting - wonderful.
I like Morning is broken played on this musical instrument. Have no idea what it is. Yes! Home again
It’s a mountain dulcimer, Lana! :-)
You should post a tutorial. That was beautiful.
Thank you, Russ! I do teach a version of this song from time to time in my online workshops and at festivals, Russ! Perhaps you can stop in sometime when it’s in my course description! :-)
@JessicaComeauDulcimer I'd like that Jessica. I came back to listen again. So sorry I didn't get your response earlier.
My favorite song.
The smile at the end says it all.
That's a wonderful arrangement of the tune, Jessica. It is harmonically and rhythmically interesting and you keep the momentum going throughout. Great work!
+Dusty Turtle It's good to hear from you again, Dusty! It's been a while. Thank you for your feedback! I very much look forward to arranging more pieces this summer. :-)
Love this arrangement and you know I love the CD it's on! :). Music and blessings! :)
Excellent! Great playing, nice touch and nuance.
Very nice, brilliant performance!😍 I loved it so much❤️ big hug✨
Aw! Thank you so much, Sergio! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :-)
A gorgeous, perfect arrangement. Well done indeed, and well performed!
Thank you so much, Wren! :-)
Your book is definitely on my list of things to get next. Thanks for all your hard work on it.
Thank you so much! :-) I hope that you will enjoy exploring my arrangements...
My mind is blown - I didn't know you could play like this on a dulcimer.
The mountain dulcimer will go as far as you invite it to, Jason. :-) Thank you for listening!
That's beautiful Jessica…. Wonderful old ballad..
Thank you, Chris! :-) I do love old ballads from the British Isles...
We have managed to produce a number haven't we :) .. I find the ones from England (Mercier etc) tend to be romantic in nature. The Irish socially realistic, and the Scottish ones to be social documents about the hardship of existence… Pretty much covers all bases there really :)
I can only imagine a salve of applause at the end of this play 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
The only word that comes to mind is WOW.
Thank you, Mark! :-)
Thanksgiving Day 2022👍🏼 Very Nice🌹Thanks and Hope All is Well🙏🏼
keep up good work!!!!
Not my first time watching / listening to this particular arrangement, and it won’t be my last. It’s wonderful.
Thank you so much!
@@JessicaComeauDulcimer Four years later. I just wanted to hear this rendition again. 😊
Absolutely beautiful ❤️
Such a beautiful and haunting melody. You performed it beautifully!
+John Henderson Thank you so much! I enjoyed arranging this piece very much... It has to smell of herbs to hear it! :-)
You are a true Artist! very graceful, thanks for sharing
You're welcome, Eli! Thank you so much! :-)
VERY special!
That dulcimer looks identical to one my father made back in the 80's. He passed away in 99 and it currently sits near the hearth at my sisters house. I would love to have someone play it as beautifully as you do. Thank you for the sweet memories.
It's a very friendly instrument, so you might be surprised at how easily you are able to make music on it within a short time. Thank you so much for listening!
Very nice
I love this song and you play it so beautifully
Thank you so much! :-)
she is somthing amazing. the beautiful of this songs sound is a blissful state of peace.
Thank you so much, Mark! :-)
It's like I'm in heaven when you play that beautiful music!
It is an honor to hear that my music brings you to a blessed place when you listen to it! :-) Thank you!
Haunting and absolutely beautiful!
that is so wonderful God has given you a gift
That looks just like a McSpadden I bought in Sedona a long time ago. I also play fretted not noter but fingerstyle not plectrum, and have not seen the capo before - useful! I also only play about once a year 😞
Your rendition of this piece brought tears to my eyes. Lovely!
Bless you, Cary! I’m glad you stopped by to listen... :-)
great version......such a gentle sound!......
Thank you so much, Jonathan! The mountain dulcimer can certainly have a very gentle voice... :-)
Beautiful ! I'm in England and only seen a Dulcimer because John Boy played one in an early episode of The Waltons , which I watched again on dvd a few years ago .
Thank you so much, Shaun! I did not realize mountain dulcimers made an appearance on “The Waltons”! Perhaps some of the info at my website if you’re just starting out with the mountain dulcimer: www.jessicacomeaudulcimer.com/
@@JessicaComeauDulcimer I haven't bought one yet but thank you for the link . I'm considering buying a model made by Ozark , £150 here in the UK and it appears to be made in Romania, spruce top , mahogany back & sides with maple fingerboard. I have played guitar for many years and occasionally attempt 5-string banjo (a lovely Goodtime open back) .
Very beautiful as are you. Thanks for posting.
Jessica ... Such a sweet rendition of Scarborough Fair. Very pretty.
Thank you, Aquaman1054! :-) "Scarborough Fair" was a song that seemed to invite interpretation... I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Very beautiful and well played, i can't wait to get one and start learning 👍🇺🇸.
Thank you for you kind words, Conger! Perhaps my “How to Play the Mountain Dulcimer” videos might be helpful as you begin with the mountain dulcimer...
Beautiful music an instrument. Well donne!!
Beautiful arrangement, beautifully executed.
Thank you so much, Charlie, and thank you for listening!
As for me, Jessica, being a lover of my 12 string: this interpretation makes me want to save for a dulcimer even more and learn how to play it. I have come across some beautiful traditional chordophones on UA-cam that I came to love: the guzheng, the Ukraine bandura, the kora, and this instrument is the newest addition to that list. Thanks for inspiring people to play this instrument.
How fascinating, Arno... I love to hear the music of these “chordophones” from around the world! I am glad if my mountain dulcimer playing has introduced new creative possibilities for your musical art! :-)
@@JessicaComeauDulcimer well...first I shall have to learn. Main thing now that bothers me is learning to lay my right hand fingers over instead of around frets as I am used to. But we'll see what the future will bring. And once that phase has been fullfilled, I plan to use it at my elementary school for children with learning disorders to introduce them to music.
@@JessicaComeauDulcimer ok here is a funny update: by lack of a dulcimer for the moment, I tried my favorite song with dulcimer thus far "The flowers of the forest" by Fairport Convention on the high E and B strings of my 12 string guitar. But for some reason, strumming both string pairs while playing the melody did not quite succeed. Maybe that was because I am normally used to strum at least 3 string pairs when I play and sing at the same time. So, I decided to lay the guitar on my lap just like a dulcimer, and try to pick the notes on the E string pair while strumming those E and B string pairs.....well, that turned out unexpectedly better haha! And that also gave me confidence that learning to play the dulcimer will turn out quite well in the future.
How wonderful! The mountain dulcimer IS very friendly, and one’s skills can grow very naturally and easily with it...
It will all come in time, Arno! :-) You’ll see that when your dulcimer arrives...
It simply takes my breath away every time. Jessica this is amazing. It leaves marks on my soul.
I just purchased a dulcimer today, with absolutely no idea how to tune and/or use it. This video has given me something to aspire to!
Thank you, Trollaholic! You might find my videos on “How to Play the Mountain Dulcimer” helpful: www.jessicacomeaudulcimer.com/lessons-and-tablature.html
Beautiful! ❤
Amazing arrangement.
I'm glad this exists
Haha! Thank you, Benjamin! :-) I’m glad you found it!
Wow!!
Thank you, Wesley! This song is on my new album "Faerie Memories: Fantasy Music with an Acoustic Heart":
ua-cam.com/video/XZjIDIDdmHw/v-deo.html
That was incredible.
Thank you, Shane! :-)
@@JessicaComeauDulcimer You are very welcome. I've spent some time in Gulf Breeze; that area is beautiful, but I didn't hear a lot of mountain music there. What influenced you to play the mountain dulcimer?
I began coming to a local dulcimer group following a recommendation from one of my favorite local Celtic bands... I thought that I would find a room full of hammered dulcimer players when I came, but instead, I heard a room full of people playing the approachable little zither my grandmother had been learning to play! The mountain dulcimer has been a special part of my life ever since.
Omg! I love it.
Thank you so much! :-)
beautiful
Thank you! :-)
Thank you well done. I grew up watching my dad play one when I was younger and now he's gone. This brings back a lot of memories
Thank you, Michael. :-) The mountain dulcimer is certainly a special instrument, and I am glad that this song evokes your memories and connection with it and with your dad!
Beautifully played 🥰
3 seconds in watching your so talented and awesome and beautiful keep kicking it 😊
Haha! 3 seconds, huh? Hang in there! It gets better (if I may say so myself)! Thank you for your kind words, and thanks for stopping by! :-)
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. I don't play that instrument but have always been a fan.
Thank you for listening, T.E. You might be surprised by how friendly the mountain dulcimer is! :-)
@@JessicaComeauDulcimer thanks! I play guitar and mandolin and a few others. In may have to picknone up
Absolutely superb/ Nothing celtic about it, I'm afraid. It's a Yorkshire, England song, through and through. The tune played here was collected from County Durham, England, but it is widely sung to this tune in Yorkshire. I don't have a horse in the race, as I'm London, born and bred!
Thank you, Robert, and thank you for pointing out that it is not actually Celtic; I just have that there as a search tag, but I love it and am aware that it originated in England!
Beautiful!!!......
Absolutely beautiful! 😍
Wonderful sound and the finest arrangement, as usual. Thank you!
Awesome 😎👍🏼
Beautiful!
+MsPebble22 Thank you!
How beautiful well done!
Thank you so much for this!
I love this song, heard it in many versions but this is by far my favourite
I appreciate that, lordoftheborg! Thank you for listening... :-)
@@JessicaComeauDulcimer Very beautifully played.
I cant get over this
In a good way, I hope! Thank you for listening! :-)
This gave me chills and a new love for an instrument to learn. I searched dulcimer and you are the first I ever watch for such instrument. Thank you!
That’s wonderful to hear! I have plenty of materials and resources at my website if you’d like to learn more: www.JessicaComeauDulcimer.com
So beautiful. Played very well.
Thank you so much, Melony! :-)
Beautiful arrangement!! Love the whole song, but that third verse was exceptional!! Keep those videos coming!!
I've have lots of musical projects big and small underway... You never know, Curtis! Thank you so much, though! I have also included it on my new album "Faerie Memories": ua-cam.com/video/XZjIDIDdmHw/v-deo.html
Very nice.....among your others, you also did a version of Saltarello which has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it done by Dead Can Dance....you're quite good....your arrangements are always spot on.
Thank you so much, Ozzpocket! I have always loved "Saltarello," ever since I first heard it as a child; it has always engrossed me and held me spellbound! :-)
Chills
Very nice. Beatufiul tune and it sounds perfect on a dulcimer.
amazing
Thank you! :-)
This sounds pretty. I plan on buying a dulcimer soon, and this is totally a sound I will be heading in my head and I flow the musical energy down the line :)
Thank you so much! Please let me know if you have any questions as you’re getting started with playing the mountain dulcimer. :-)
👍🏼 Excellent! 👍🏼
Beautifully played. I really enjoyed it .. Thank ou . Bill .
Been a fan for ever Jess- still love that shy little smile at the end of the pieces you play:) If I was forty years younger........ Beautiful playing as always Jessica. Jay.
Thank you for following my music, JayinOz1! :-)
Nice❤
Wow! This beautiful and haunting.
Aw! Thank you for listening! :-)
Breathtaking, beautiful arrangement!
"Scarborough Fair" is a truly beautiful song, and it inspired me to make it my own. :-) Thank you so much, Rod!
Gorgeous version. Thank you.
thank you
Just came across one of these for sale and looked it up. Came upon this video. Amazing!.... I bought a Dulcimer about a minute into this video
Haha! Well, it is wonderful to hear of a mountain dulcimer receiving such an eager adoption! :-) Thank you for stopping by...
Absolutely beautiful, thank you ❤
Thank you so much!
amazing !!!
Thank you, Roger!
Une belle rêverie musicale...
Merci beaucoup, Alain! :-)