Puttin on the Ritz in F

Irving Berlin(1927)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Puttin on the Ritz in F (Guitar)

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Puttin on the Ritz 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 G# (descending major third), G# to F (descending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to C (descending minor third), C to A (descending minor third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to C# (descending major 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 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 · 40 bars · Form: AB

Chords: F, Ddim, Gm7, C7, G♯, Fdim, A♯m7, D♯7, C, Am7, Dm7, G7, D7, Fm, A♯m, F7, C♯7.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop minor, F bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F