Reflections in F

Thelonious Monk(1954)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — Reflections in F (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
FMaj7
EADGBExx321
EADGBE1114233frEADGBE11x3338frEADGBE111324
D♯7
EADGBExx1324
6frEADGBE111x348frEADGBE111xx211frEADGBE111132
D7
EADGBExx213
3frEADGBEx3241x5frEADGBE11113410frEADGBE111132
C♯9
EADGBE222221
8frEADGBE3142xx9frEADGBE11132410frEADGBExx2143
Gm7
3frEADGBE111113
5frEADGBE11x4238frEADGBE11x23410frEADGBE111132
C7♭9
EADGBE11x234
6frEADGBE3241xx8frEADGBE111x239frEADGBExx3142
G♯m7
4frEADGBE111113
6frEADGBE11x4239frEADGBE11x23x11frEADGBE111132
Am7
EADGBEx21
EADGBEx23145frEADGBE1111137frEADGBE11x423
D13♭9
EADGBExx412
5frEADGBE1111348frEADGBE423110frEADGBE1x234x
Em7♭5
EADGBE33312
7frEADGBEx1324x8frEADGBE11xx2411frEADGBE2x341x
G7sus4
EADGBE1123
3frEADGBE1111348frEADGBE11x23410frEADGBE111134
F♯7
EADGBE111132
4frEADGBE11x3247frEADGBEx3241x9frEADGBE111134
F♯dim
EADGBE2x31x
4frEADGBExx12x37frEADGBEx41x239frEADGBEx1243x
G♯dim
EADGBE31x42x
6frEADGBExx12x39frEADGBEx41x2311frEADGBEx1243x
F♯augadd9add7
Am7♭5
EADGBEx23x
4frEADGBE2x341x5frEADGBE1112347frEADGBE222xx1
D7♯11
EADGBExx123
4frEADGBE11x2347frEADGBEx31429frEADGBE111234
C7
EADGBEx3241
3frEADGBE1111345frEADGBE111xx28frEADGBE111132
F7
EADGBE111132
3frEADGBE11x3248frEADGBE11113410frEADGBE111xx2
A♯13♯11
A♯ - D - F - G♯ - C - E - G
Em7
EADGBE2
EADGBE114237frEADGBE1111328frEADGBExx2314
A♯7♯11
EADGBEx123
5frEADGBE11123x8frEADGBExx123412frEADGBE11x234
A7♯5
EADGBEx321
EADGBE11x235frEADGBE11x237frEADGBExx1423
Dm7
EADGBExx312
5frEADGBE1111326frEADGBExx231410frEADGBE111113
Dm9
EADGBE132
3frEADGBE2222x15frEADGBEx142310frEADGBE111134
G7♭9
EADGBE11324
EADGBE111x234frEADGBE11xx239frEADGBE11x234

Reflections 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 whole step), D# to D (descending half step), D to C# (descending half step), C# to G (ascending tritone), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to G# (descending major third), G# to A (ascending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to E (ascending whole step), E to G (ascending minor third), G to F# (descending half step), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C (descending whole step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to A# (ascending tritone), A# to A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (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 G to F by whole step.

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, D♯7, D7, C♯9, Gm7, C7♭9, G♯m7, Am7, D13♭9, Em7♭5, G7sus4, F♯7, F♯dim, G♯dim, F♯augadd9add7, Am7♭5, D7♯11, C7, F7, A♯13♯11, Em7, A♯7♯11, A7♯5, Dm7, Dm9, G7♭9.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F