Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye in F

Cole Porter(1944)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
C7/G
C7/G
Cm/F
Faug/A
F/A
C7/G
C7/G
F/C
Fdim/C
Fdim/C

Chord Diagrams — Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye in F (Guitar)

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Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye 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 minor third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C (ascending unison), C to G# (descending major third), G# to F (descending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to G (descending half step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to B (ascending tritone), B to F (ascending tritone), F to F (ascending unison), F to D (descending minor third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to F (descending whole step), F to F (ascending unison), F to C (descending 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.

swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: F, Dm, Gm7, C7, C7/G, G♯, F7, A♯m, F/A, G♯dim, Gm7♭5, Cm/F, A♯, Faug/A, Bdim, F9, F/C, D7, G7, F6, Fdim/C, C9.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F