It Might As Well Be Spring in F

Richard Rodgers()swingModerately
Do Re MiC D E
A
A
B
A

Chord Diagrams — It Might As Well Be Spring in F (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

It Might As Well Be Spring in F

It Might As Well Be Spring in 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 A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to B (ascending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to C (descending major third), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to E (descending minor third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to G (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 G 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.

swing2/2 · 35 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: F6, A♯9, Am7, D7, Gm7, C7, F, Cm7, F7, A♯, Bm7, E7, C7/c, Gm7/g, E7♭5, A7, Dm7, G7, Gm7/d.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F