This Masquerade in F

Leon Russell(1972)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
A♯13
C7♯9♯5
A♯13
F♯13♯11

Chord Diagrams — This Masquerade in F (Guitar)

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This Masquerade 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 unison), F to F (ascending unison), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to G (ascending tritone), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to C (descending half step), C to E (ascending major third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D# (ascending tritone), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to D (ascending major third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C (ascending unison), C to F# (ascending tritone). 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 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: Fm, FmMaj7, Fm7, A♯13, C♯9, Gm7, C7♯9♯5, C♯7, C7, Em7, A7, D♯m7, G♯7, C♯Maj7, A♯7, Dm7, G7, CMaj7, Csus4, F♯13♯11.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop minor, F bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F