Can Can in F

J.Offenbach()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C
D
Fm/C
F♯dim/C
Fm/C
F♯dim/C
C/E
F7/D♯
A♯/D
C/E
F7/D♯
A♯/D

Chord Diagrams — Can Can in F (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
C7
EADGBEx3241
3frEADGBE1111345frEADGBE111xx28frEADGBE111132
F
EADGBE111342
3frEADGBE11x2435frEADGBE1114328frEADGBE111234
A♯
EADGBE11x234
3frEADGBE11143x6frEADGBE1113428frEADGBE11x243
G7
EADGBE321
3frEADGBE1111325frEADGBE11x32410frEADGBE111134
C
EADGBEx321
3frEADGBE1112345frEADGBE111xx48frEADGBE111342
F7
EADGBE111132
3frEADGBE11x3248frEADGBE11113410frEADGBE111xx2
Fm/C
8frEADGBE111342
EADGBE1111343frEADGBExx134210frEADGBE1142xx
F♯dim/C
EADGBE2x31x
4frEADGBExx12x37frEADGBEx41x239frEADGBEx1243x
C/E
EADGBEx321
3frEADGBE1112345frEADGBE111xx48frEADGBE111342
F7/D♯
EADGBE111132
3frEADGBE11x3248frEADGBE11113410frEADGBE111xx2
A♯/D
EADGBE11x234
3frEADGBE11143x6frEADGBE1113428frEADGBE11x243

Can Can in F

Key of F

F major is the gateway to barre chords. While F itself requires a full barre at fret 1, the remaining diatonic chords (C, Dm, Am, G, Bb) mix open and barre shapes. The open high E acts as Fmaj7's seventh, adding unexpected richness. F is a intermediate-level key on guitar because the open high E string is the major seventh of F, creating a lush Fmaj7 resonance even in basic shapes, but the F barre chord itself is the first big hurdle for beginners. This key mixes open and barre shapes, making it a good intermediate challenge that builds fretboard fluency.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to G (descending minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F (ascending unison), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from A# to C by whole step.

Scales for Improvisation

F major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, F Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

swing2/4 · 120 bars · Form: ABCD

Chords: C7, F, A♯, G7, C, F7, Fm/C, F♯dim/C, C/E, F7/D♯, A♯/D.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F