Don't Get Around Much Anymore in F

Duke Ellington / Bob Russell(1940)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Don't Get Around Much Anymore in F (Guitar)

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Don't Get Around Much Anymore 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 G (ascending whole step), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to A (ascending half step), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to D# (descending half step), D# to D (descending half step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to F (ascending unison), F to B (ascending tritone), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F (ascending half step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from F to F by unison.

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 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: FMaj7, Gm7, G♯dim7, Am7, E7, D♯7, D7, G7, C7, F6, A♯6, A♯m, F/C, F7, Bm7♭5, E7♭9, F.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F