Just the Two of Us in F

Bill Withers / Ralph MacDonald / William Salter(1980)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — Just the Two of Us in F (Guitar)

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Just the Two of Us 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 C (descending half step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C (ascending major third), C to C (ascending unison), C to B (descending half step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to A (descending half step), A to G# (descending half step), G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to E (ascending major third). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from E to C# by minor 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 · 24 bars · Form: A

Chords: C♯Maj7, C7♯5, Fm7, D♯m7, G♯7, C7sus4, C7, BMaj7, A♯7sus4, A♯7, AMaj7, G♯7sus4, G7♭9, F♯69, C7♯9, Em7.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop minor, F bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F