How to practice First Song with play-along tracks?

Use the play-along backing track above to practice First Song in the key of C. Listen to the audio with bass, piano, and drums, start by playing the melody, then practice improvisation and soloing over the chord changes.

What scales to use for soloing over First Song?

For soloing over First Song, recommended scales include: bebop minor, bebop. Use arpeggio patterns over each chord to create melodic lines that follow the harmony of this jazz tune.

Who composed First Song?

First Song was composed by Haden Charlie. It is a ballad standard in 4/4 time.

What key is First Song in?

The original key of First Song is C. The form is A with 28 bars.

What scales work for improvising over First Song?

Recommended scales for First Song in C: bebop minor, bebop. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis (e.g., Phrygian Dominant over secondary dominants).

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic walking bass, drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

Do Re MiC D E

First Song

Haden Charlie4/4ballad

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — First Song in C (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

Starting fret

Open123456789101112

A♯/A♭

Fm7/C

Cm7/B♭

F/A

A♯7/F

Dm7♭5

G7sus4

G7♭9

D♯/B♭

Fm6/A♭

G7♭13

D♯6

C♯maj7

Explore More

First Song in C

Key of C

With no sharps or flats, C major is the theoretical home base on guitar. The open G, B, and high E strings all belong to the C major chord, creating natural sustain. C is a beginner-level key on guitar because the open B and high E strings ring within the scale, and every basic chord uses familiar open shapes. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through C to C (ascending unison), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to B (ascending half step), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to F (ascending major third), F to B (ascending tritone), B to C (ascending half step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D (ascending major third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to G (ascending unison), G to D# (descending major third), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to G (ascending whole step), G to D# (descending major third), D# to D (descending half step), D to C# (descending 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 C# to C by half step.

Scales for Improvisation

C 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, C Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

ballad4/4 · 28 bars · Form: A

Chords: Cm7, C7♭9, Fm7, A♯/A♭, A♯, Bdim, C♯dim7, Fm7/C, Bdim7, Cm7/B♭, F/A, A♯7/F, Dm7♭5, G7sus4, G7♭9, D♯/B♭, Fm6/A♭, G7♭13, D♯6, D7, C♯maj7.

Scales for Improvisation C bebop minor, C bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of C

Go deeper

All 25 guides →

Guide · ScalesScales for jazz improvisation Guide · ScalesBebop scales guide