How Little We Know in F

Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer(1944)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
D♯13
F69
F69
D♯13
D♯13
C7sus4
F69

Chord Diagrams — How Little We Know in F (Guitar)

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How Little We Know 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 C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G (ascending whole step), G to A (ascending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to F# (descending half step), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to A (ascending half step), A to G# (descending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C (descending half step), C to C (ascending unison), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), 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 mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from C to C 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.

swing4/4 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: C7, FMaj7, Gm7, Am7, Dm7, Gm9, F♯7, A♯m9, D♯13, F69, G♯m7, Am9, G♯m9, C♯9, C7♭9, Cm9, F13, F7♭9, C7sus4.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F