When I Fall In Love in C#

Victor Young(1952)balladModerately
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
A
C

Chord Diagrams — When I Fall In Love in C# (Guitar)

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When I Fall In Love in C#

When I Fall in Love in C#: this timeless romantic ballad flows through clean ii-V-I motion, ideal for singing Bebop Major lines and Dorian phrases. Mixolydian smooths the dominant chords — let the melody lead the improvisation. Chords: C# – A#7#5b9 – D#m7 – G#7 – B9 – A#9#5 – G#7b9 – Fm7 – A#7 – D#m – A#7b9 – F# – A#m7.

When I Fall In Love in C#

C# major (or Db) sits in barre chord territory across the fretboard. Every chord demands precise barring, but the payoff is a bright, crystalline sound a half step above C that cuts through a band mix. C# is a intermediate-advanced-level key on guitar because no open strings fall within the key naturally, so every chord requires full barre technique. Expect to rely on barre chords throughout, which builds hand strength and unlocks the entire fretboard.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to B (ascending minor third), B to A# (descending half step), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to F (descending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to F# (descending major third), F# to A# (ascending major 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 C# by minor third.

Scales for Improvisation

C# 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, C# Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

ballad4/4 · 34 bars · Form: ABAC

Chords: C♯, A♯7♯5♭9, D♯m7, G♯7, B9, A♯9♯5, G♯7♭9, Fm7, A♯7, D♯m, A♯7♭9, F♯, A♯m7.

Scales for Improvisation C# major, C# dorian, C# mixolydian, C# bebop major, C# major pentatonic.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of C#