Stardust in F

Hoagy Carmichael(1927)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
F7♯5
F7♯5

Chord Diagrams — Stardust in F (Guitar)

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Stardust 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 A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to G (ascending whole step), G to A (ascending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C (descending whole step), C to C (ascending unison), C to D (ascending whole step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to F (descending whole step). The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. 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 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: F7♯5, A♯6, A♯m6, F, Gm7, Am7, D7, C7, Cdim7, Dm7, G9, A♯, E7, A7, G7, F6.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F