Comin' In On a Wing and a Prayer in F

Jimmy McHugh / Harold Adamson(1943)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
G7/D
Edim7/G
C7/G

Chord Diagrams — Comin' In On a Wing and a Prayer in F (Guitar)

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Comin' In On a Wing and a Prayer 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 D# (descending whole step), D# to C (descending minor third), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to F (descending whole step), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to G (ascending tritone), G to E (descending minor third), E to C (descending major third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to G (descending minor third), G to B (ascending major third), B to G (descending major third), G to C (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 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.

swing2/2 · 58 bars · Form: AB

Chords: F6, D♯7, C, G7, F7, F♯dim7, C/G, C♯dim7, G7/D, Edim7/G, C7, F, A♯6, A♯, G7♭5, Bdim7, Gm7, C7/G.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F