Notice
"Admiral Benbow" is a really good example of a mainly 'frailed' melody. I tried to play this as a fiddler might approach the piece. The original version is found on the album "A Cut Above," sung by June Tabor.
The song sounds in the key of A, played in D position on the guitar with the capo on the 7th fret. This high capo position gives a great punch and penetration to the guitar sound.
This transcription shows the introduction, the verses, and the ending of the guitar part. The recorded version ends with unaccompanied vocals.
Notice that the downpicked melody notes {f} are played with the back of the middle finger, the 'trailed' notes {i} with the index finger throughout. The exception is the chordal rolls, which are played with the thumb and three fingers. 'Trailed notes are denoted by an 'i' and 'frailed' notes are denoted by a 'f'.
M.S.
