The Girl From Ipanema in F

A. C. Jobim()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
D7♭9♭5
C7♭9♭5

Chord Diagrams — The Girl From Ipanema in F (Guitar)

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The Girl From Ipanema 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 G (ascending whole step), G to G (ascending unison), G to F# (descending half step), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to D (descending major third), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C (descending whole 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 C to F by perfect fourth.

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 · 34 bars · Form: AB

Chords: FMaj7, G7, Gm7, F♯7, F♯Maj7, B7, F♯m7, D7, D♯7, Am7, D7♭9♭5, C7♭9♭5.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F