Come Rain or Come Shine in F

Johnny Mercer / Harold Arlen(1946)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
D7♯9♯5

Chord Diagrams — Come Rain or Come Shine in F (Guitar)

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Come Rain or Come Shine 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 F to E (descending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to E (ascending whole step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C (descending whole step). 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 C to F by perfect fourth.

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.

swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: FMaj7, Em, A7, Dm, G7, C7, F7, Cm, A♯m, Fm, C7♭9, Fm6, D♯m6, Am7♭5, D7♯9♯5, F♯m, B7, Am, D7, Dm7, Em7♭5, A7♯9, D7♯9, C7♯9.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F