That's All in F

Alan Brandt, Bob Haymes()balladSlowly, with expression
Do Re MiC D E
A
A
B
A

Chord Diagrams — That's All in F (Guitar)

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That's All in F

That's All 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 G (ascending whole step), G to A (ascending whole step), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to D (ascending whole step), D to B (descending minor third), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C (ascending unison), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to G (descending minor third), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to D (ascending major third), D to C (descending whole step), C to A (descending minor third). 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 A 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.

ballad2/2 · 41 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: F, Gm7, Am7, A♯m7, C7, D9, Bm7♭5, G♯dim7, D7♭9, G7♭5, C7♭9, Cm7, F9, A♯maj9, G9, A♯Maj7, A♯6, Dm7, Cmaj9, A9.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F