Do Re MiC D E

Martha's Prize

Walton Cedar4/4medium-swing

Chord Diagrams — Martha's Prize in F (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
Starting fret
Open123456789101112

Explore More

Martha's Prize 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 D (ascending whole step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to B (ascending tritone), B to A# (descending half step), A# to A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to B (ascending tritone), B to C (ascending half step), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to F (descending half step), F to E (descending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C (descending half step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 F# to C by tritone.

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.

medium-swing4/4 · 48 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: Csus4, D, Gm7, C13, Fmaj7, B7♯11, A♯maj7, A7♭13, Dm7, Fmaj7/G, Bdim7, C7sus4, F♯maj7♯11, Fo^7, Em7♭5, A7♭9, Dm6, D♯m7, G♯7, C♯maj7, Cm7, F7♭9, G♯m7, C♯7, F♯maj7.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F