Lonely Woman in F

Ornette Coleman / Margo Guryan(1959)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
C♭Maj7
A7♯5
C♭Maj7
A7♯5
G♯13♯11
C♭Maj7
C♭Maj7
A7♯5

Chord Diagrams — Lonely Woman in F (Guitar)

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Lonely Woman 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 F to D# (descending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to Cb (descending whole step), Cb to G (descending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to B (ascending tritone), B to A (descending whole step), A to D# (ascending tritone), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 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 · 28 bars · Form: A

Chords: Fm7, D♯m7, G♯7, Dm7♭5, C♭Maj7, Gm7♭5, C7, Fm9, B7♭5, A7♯5, D♯m9, G♯13♯11.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop minor, F bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F