Molten Glass in F

Joe Farrell()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C♭Maj7
GMaj7♯11
FMaj7♯11
D♯Maj7♯11
C♯Maj7♯11

Chord Diagrams — Molten Glass in F (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

Molten Glass 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 A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C# (descending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to G (descending half step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to Cb (descending half step), Cb to B (descending half step), B to G (descending major third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to G (descending whole step), G to F (descending whole step), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to C# (descending whole step). 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 C# to F by major 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 · 16 bars · Form: AB

Chords: FMaj7, A♯Maj7, Em7♭5, A7♭9, DMaj7, C♯m7♭5, F♯7, G♯m7, A♯m7♭5, D♯7♭9, G♯Maj7, Gm7♭5, C7♭9, C♯Maj7, C♭Maj7, BMaj7, GMaj7, CMaj7, F♯Maj7, AMaj7, GMaj7♯11, FMaj7♯11, D♯Maj7♯11, C♯Maj7♯11.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F