When Sunny Gets Blue in F

Marvin Fisher / Jack Segal(1956)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — When Sunny Gets Blue in F (Guitar)

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When Sunny Gets Blue 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 G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to A (ascending major third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to B (descending minor third), B to F (ascending tritone), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to D (ascending major third), D to E (ascending whole step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to D (ascending minor third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth). 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 C to G 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 · 27 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Gm7, C7, A♯m7, D♯7, FMaj7, Am7, D7, Bm7♭5, FMaj7/A, G♯m7, C♯7, A♯7, D7♭9, Em7, A7♭9, DMaj7, F♯m7, B7♯9, Dm7, G7, CMaj7.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F