Who composed Strang Fruit?

Strang Fruit was composed by Lewis Allan. It is a swing standard in 4/4 time. The original key is C; this page shows it transposed to F.

What key is Strang Fruit in?

The original key of Strang Fruit is C. The form is A with 31 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to F.

What scales work for improvising over Strang Fruit?

Recommended scales for Strang Fruit in F: bebop minor, bebop. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis (e.g., Phrygian Dominant over secondary dominants).

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic walking bass, drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

Strang Fruit in F

Lewis Allan()swingAndante Moderato

Do Re MiC D E

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — Strang Fruit in F (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

C7♯5

Gm7♭5

C7♭9

Gm7

C7/d

Fm/G♯

C7♭9/f

C7♭9/d

C7♭9/b

Fm/D♯

C♯Maj7

Fm/g

F♯69

Strang Fruit in 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 C (descending perfect fourth), C to C (ascending unison), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to C (ascending unison), C to C (ascending unison), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to C# (descending major third), C# to F (ascending major third), F to F# (ascending half step). 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 F# to F by half 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 · 31 bars · Form: A

Chords: Fm, C7♯5, C7, Gm7♭5, C7♭9, Gm7, C7/d, Fm/G♯, C7♭9/f, C7♭9/d, C7♭9/b, Fm/D♯, C♯Maj7, Fm/g, F♯69.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop minor, F bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F