Twelfth Street Rag in F

Euday L. Bowman()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
F/D♯
A♯/D
F/C

Chord Diagrams — Twelfth Street Rag in F (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
C7
EADGBEx3241
3frEADGBE1111345frEADGBE111xx28frEADGBE111132
F
EADGBE111342
3frEADGBE11x2435frEADGBE1114328frEADGBE111234
G7
EADGBE321
3frEADGBE1111325frEADGBE11x32410frEADGBE111134
F/D♯
EADGBE111342
3frEADGBE11x2435frEADGBE1114328frEADGBE111234
A♯/D
EADGBE11x234
3frEADGBE11143x6frEADGBE1113428frEADGBE11x243
C♯7
EADGBEx3241x
4frEADGBE111x346frEADGBE1114329frEADGBE111132
F/C
3frEADGBE11x243
EADGBE1113425frEADGBE1114328frEADGBE111234

Twelfth Street Rag 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 C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G (ascending whole step), G to F (descending whole step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to F (ascending major third). 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 C 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 · 36 bars · Form: A

Chords: C7, F, G7, F/D♯, A♯/D, C♯7, F/C.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F