Guitar Solo

bach

J.S. Bach :: Adagio BWV 974

The second movement of Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major — better known as "Air on the G String" — performed on virtual strings, harpsichord, and The Trumpet from Samplemodeling.

J.S. Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068, 2. Air - trumpet(2013.11.17)

J. S. Bach - Partita a minor, Allemande

Scarborough Fair: A Timeless English Ballad—Solo Guitar Arrangement by Ricardo Farão

“Scarborough Fair” is one of the most beloved and enduring English folk ballads, its origins lost in the mists of the Middle Ages. The song takes its name from the historic Scarborough Fair—a legendary medieval gathering held in the coastal town of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, from the 13th century onward. For centuries, merchants, musicians, and townsfolk flocked to the fair, exchanging goods, stories, and songs. The ballad itself, catalogued as number 12 in the Roud Folk Song Index, is woven deeply into British folklore.

Over time, “Scarborough Fair” has seen countless interpretations and adaptations—most famously, the haunting rendition by Simon & Garfunkel in the 20th century. Yet, at its heart, the melody remains simple, evocative, and tinged with an ancient melancholy. The lyrics, with their repeated refrain “parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,” are steeped in folklore, sometimes thought to reference old herbal symbolism or the trials of true love.

About This Arrangement

This solo guitar arrangement invites the player—and the listener—into the evocative, medieval world of the original ballad. Ricardo Farão’s adaptation is faithful to the timeless melody, preserving the strophic form of the traditional song, but enriched with a classical guitar texture that echoes the modal harmonies and gentle pulse of early English music.

Through subtle variations, drone-like bass notes, and lyrical phrasing, the guitar brings out both the intimacy and grandeur of the ballad. Listeners will notice touches of “medieval color” throughout, achieved by using open strings, harmonics, and shifting accompaniment patterns. These elements conjure a sense of old stone halls and echoing, candlelit chambers—making the music feel at once ancient and alive.

For Listeners and Players

Whether you are discovering “Scarborough Fair” for the first time or returning to an old favorite, this guitar arrangement offers a fresh, poetic perspective. Guitarists will appreciate the clear voicing of the melody, the gentle rhythmic flow, and the opportunity to explore expressive dynamics. The piece is both accessible and musically rewarding, making it a wonderful addition to any guitarist’s repertoire.

If you enjoy music that bridges centuries, blending tradition with personal artistry, this arrangement is for you. Give it a listen—or better yet, try it with your own hands, and let the echoes of Scarborough’s ancient fair ring out from your guitar!

Discover more jazz classics and creative arrangements by visiting my website: ricardofarao.com
And subscribe to my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@rfviolao

Scarborough Fair

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@rfviolao
Discover more jazz classics and creative arrangements by visiting my website: ricardofarao.com

“Valsa de Eurídice” is a poignant and lyrical waltz composed by the legendary Brazilian poet and songwriter Vinicius de Moraes. First published in 1956, this piece was written for the play “Orfeu da Conceição,” a Brazilian retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth set in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro—a story that later became the internationally acclaimed film “Black Orpheus” (1959).

The waltz is characterized by its gentle, flowing melody and a harmonic palette that bridges European classical tradition with the melancholy and passion of Brazilian popular music. Its haunting beauty makes it a favorite among guitarists and vocalists alike, often interpreted in both classical and jazz idioms.

Fun fact: “Valsa de Eurídice” represents one of the earliest collaborations between Vinicius de Moraes and guitarist Luiz Bonfá, helping to lay the groundwork for the bossa nova movement that would sweep the world just a few years later.

Valsa de Euridice - Vinícius de Moraes

Air on the G String – Solo Guitar Arrangement (J. S. Bach)
Transcribed and Arranged by Ricardo Farão

Bring the timeless beauty of Bach to your fingertips with this elegant solo guitar arrangement of the beloved “Air on the G String” from the Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068.

Thoughtfully transcribed in the key of D major, this arrangement preserves the lyrical flow, contrapuntal lines, and emotional depth of the original while adapting it naturally to the classical guitar. 

Air on the G String - J. S. Bach

Oscar Chilesotti was a dedicated Italian musicologist at the turn of the 19th century, passionate about Renaissance repertoire. In 1890, he published the precious manuscript “Da un Codice Lauten-Buch del Cinquecento”, transcribing numerous ancient lute pieces into modern notation — many of which now reappear under our hands as guitar music.

This piece, entitled "Vaghe bellezze et bionde treccie d'oro, vedi che per te moro", is No. 17 from that collection. Its title evokes the vivid elegance of golden braids and the ardent emotion of a lover on the verge of dying for his beloved — imagery typical of Italian Renaissance poetry.

Although there is no surviving record of lyrics or text, the music, with its sweet melody and gentle ornamentation, conveys an atmosphere full of ardor and nostalgia. It is as if, through the strings, the instrument whispers a passionate lament imbued with beauty and melancholy.

In this guitar arrangement, I sought to preserve that delicate and intimate aura, respecting the nuances of the counterpoint and the timbral colors that recall the soft resonance of the ancient lute.

This is my arrangement based on the original 1890 book, available at IMSLP: “Da un Codice Lauten-Buch del Cinquecento (Chilesotti, Oscar)”.

Vedi che per te Moro

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“Por una Cabeza” is a celebrated tango composed in 1935 by Carlos Gardel, with lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera, created for the film Tango Bar the same year.

The title, "Por una cabeza", is a horse racing metaphor (“by a head”), used in the lyric to compare narrowly losing a race to the sway of love and the allure of a woman.

Tragically, Gardel and Le Pera both died in a plane crash on June 24, 1935—just months after the song’s release—cementing their legacy as icons of tango.

The tango has since become a tango classic, featured in numerous films, notably Scent of a Woman (1992), Schindler’s List (1993), and True Lies (1994), contributing to its enduring popularity.

Por una Cabeza - C. Gardel

J.S.Bach "Air"

Live recording of J.S. Bach's Prelude no. 1 