Feeling Good in F

Anthony Newley / Leslie Bricusse(1964)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Feeling Good in F (Guitar)

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Feeling Good 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 A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to C# (descending major third), C# to F (ascending major third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C (descending half step), C to C (ascending unison), C to G# (descending major third), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to C# (ascending unison). 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 major third.

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 · 34 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Fm7, A♯9, C, Fm, C♯, Fm/G♯, A♯, G♯Maj7, A♯7, A♯m7, FmMaj7, G♯7, C♯Maj7, C7, Cm, G♯, G♯/D♯, A♯9sus4, C♯6, C♯Maj7♯11.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop minor, F bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F