Old Folks in Do#

Willard Robison(1938)balladBallad
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Chord Diagrams — Old Folks in Do# (Guitar)

Do♯Maj7
EADGBE111x43
4frEADGBE1113246frEADGBE11xxx39frEADGBE1x342x
Re♯m7
EADGBExx1423
6frEADGBE1111327frEADGBExx231411frEADGBE111114
Sol♯7
EADGBE111xx2
4frEADGBE1111326frEADGBE11x32411frEADGBE111134
Fam7
EADGBE111113
3frEADGBExx14238frEADGBE1111329frEADGBExx2314
La♯7
EADGBE111x34
6frEADGBE1111328frEADGBE11x32411frEADGBEx3241x
Do♯7
EADGBEx3241x
4frEADGBE111x346frEADGBE1114329frEADGBE111132
Fa♯Maj7
EADGBE111423
4frEADGBE11x3336frEADGBE111x439frEADGBE111324
Fa♯m6
EADGBE2222x1
4frEADGBE111x327frEADGBE11x3248frEADGBEx2413x
La♯m7
EADGBE111x32
EADGBExx23146frEADGBE1111138frEADGBE11x423
Sol♯m7
4frEADGBE111113
6frEADGBE11x4239frEADGBE11x23x11frEADGBE111132
Fa♯m7
EADGBE111113
4frEADGBExx14239frEADGBE11113210frEADGBExx2314
Si7
EADGBEx2134
EADGBE1111344frEADGBE111xx27frEADGBE111132
MiMaj7
EADGBE312
EADGBE333xx14frEADGBE111x437frEADGBE111324
Fam7♭5
EADGBE1x23x
EADGBE222xx18frEADGBEx1324x11frEADGBE2134x
La♯7♭9
EADGBEx123
4frEADGBE3241xx6frEADGBE111x2312frEADGBE11x234
Re♯m7♭5
EADGBE222xx1
6frEADGBEx1324x7frEADGBE11xx2410frEADGBE2x341x

Old Folks in Do#

This classic ballad provides a straightforward but harmonically rich canvas supporting Bebop Major lines on the tonic major chords, Dorian phrasing on the ii chords, and Mixolydian color on the dominant sevenths. The unhurried tempo and familiar harmonic progressions make it an excellent vehicle for practicing melodic development and dynamic control. Simplicity of form belies the depth of expression it demands.

Old Folks in Do#

C# major (or Db) sits in barre chord territory across the fretboard. Every chord demands precise barring, but the payoff is a bright, crystalline sound a half step above C that cuts through a band mix. C# is a intermediate-advanced-level key on guitar because no open strings fall within the key naturally, so every chord requires full barre technique. Expect to rely on barre chords throughout, which builds hand strength and unlocks the entire fretboard.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to F (descending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F (ascending half step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (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 D# to C# by whole step.

Scales for Improvisation

C# 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, C# Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

ballad4/4 · 32 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: Do♯Maj7, Re♯m7, Sol♯7, Fam7, La♯7, Do♯7, Fa♯Maj7, Fa♯m6, La♯m7, Sol♯m7, Fa♯m7, Si7, MiMaj7, Fam7♭5, La♯7♭9, Re♯m7♭5.

Scales for Improvisation Do# major, Do# dorian, Do# mixolydian, Do# bebop major, Do# major pentatonic.

Related Standards

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