Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin' in F

Joe Greene(1966)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin' in F (Guitar)

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Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin' 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 F (descending whole step), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to F (descending whole step), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to B (ascending half step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to E (ascending major third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to A (ascending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. 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 · 29 bars · Form: AB

Chords: F6, Gm7, Fdim, C7, Gm9, FMaj7, D♯Maj7, A♯7, Bdim, A♯m6, C7♭9, E7, Am7, Gm6, A7, D7, G7, C7♯5.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F