My Shining Hour in F

Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer(1943)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
Gm/C

Chord Diagrams — My Shining Hour in F (Guitar)

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My Shining Hour 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 minor third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to E (ascending major third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G (ascending major third), G to A (ascending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third). 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 F by unison.

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 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: FMaj7, Dm, G7, C7, Em7♭5, A7♯9, Gm/C, Cm, F7, A♯Maj7, A♯m, D♯7, Gm, Am7♭5, D7♯9, F.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F