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3 | ʻUkulele Project No. 4

Linda Amiga

Peter Kun Frary

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Linda Amiga is a hauntingly beautiful Spanish folk song full of lyrical melody, intense longing and melancholy modal progressions.

Beautiful Friend | Peter Kun Frary

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Linda Amiga Musings

The title, Linda Amiga, means beautiful friend and is also known as Ay, Linda Amiga. Originating in sixteenth century Spain, Linda Amiga exists in various forms throughout Spain and South America. The composer is unknown, hence the folk song moniker. Here is the translation of the lyrics:

Oh, beautiful friend

Oh, beautiful friend, whom I shall not see again,

Your beautiful body takes me on the path of death.

There is no love without grief, no grief without pain,

No pain is more poignant than the pain of love,

No pain is more poignant than the pain of love.

Oh, beautiful friend, whom I shall not see again,

Your beautiful body takes me on the path of death.

Raise me up at sunrise, mother,

I passed the green fields in search of my love

I passed the green fields in search of my love

Study Tips

Melody

Linda Amiga should be performed with a slow but steady tempo—adagio or thereabouts. Most melody notes are in the 5th position and sound best with a little vibrato if you can manage it. If you need a review of 5th position notes, study the Sanoe chapter.

Chords

For chords, a gentle Flat-Two Strum is recommend: down strum on every beat with the flesh of your thumb (twice per measure). A gently flowing P-i-m-a arpeggio in each measure also works well.

Listen to the Track

Begin your studies by listening to the audio track:

Linda Amiga | Peter Kun Frary, ʻukulele

Play Now!

Practice the melody until smooth and rhythmic. Play along with the audio track to check your rhythm. Once the melody flows smoothly, take on the chords.