Sister Sadie in F

Horace Silver(1959)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Sister Sadie in F (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

Sister Sadie 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 F# (ascending half step), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to G (descending half step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. 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 · 24 bars · Form: AB

Chords: F7, F♯7, A♯7, G♯7, G7.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F