Two for the Road in F

Henry Mancini / Leslie Bricusse(1967)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Dm/C
D7sus4
Dm/A
Dm/C
D7sus4
Gm7sus4

Chord Diagrams — Two for the Road in F (Guitar)

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Two for the Road 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 E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to A# (descending major third), A# to G (descending minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to E (ascending major third), E to D (descending whole step), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to F (descending whole step), F to G (ascending whole step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D (ascending major third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to F (descending whole step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D (ascending major third), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to F (descending whole step). 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 E 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 · 33 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Em7♭5, A7, Dm, Dm/C, A♯Maj7, Gm7, C7, Edim7, D7sus4, D7, Gm9, C9, G/B, Fm7♭5, G7♭9, Cm7, F7♭9, A♯, Dm/A, Gm, F6, A♯mMaj7, Dm7, Am7, Gm7sus4, F.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F