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In a Sentimental Mood in F
In a Sentimental Mood in F: Ellington's ballad moves between minor and major with aching beauty, favoring Dorian over minor chords and Melodic Minor over the tonic. Harmonic Minor colors the cadential V7 moments. Chords: Fm – FmMaj7 – Fm7 – Fm6 – A#m – A#mMaj7 – A#m7 – Gm7b5 – C7 – F7 – D#7b9 – G#maj7 – G#6 – F#m7 – B7 – Emaj7 – C#m7 – E6 – C#7#5 – F#7 – D#7.
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 F (ascending unison), F to F (ascending unison), F to F (ascending unison), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to G (descending minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to D# (descending minor third). 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 D# to F by whole step.
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.