Yesterdays in Fa

Yesterdays in Fa

Yesterdays in F: Jerome Kern's dark standard descends through a circle of fifths rich with altered dominant chords. Dorian governs the minor tonic while Melodic Minor and Harmonic Minor arm you for the V7alt resolutions. Chords: G#m7 – C#7 – F#Maj7 – Fm7b5 – A#7b9 – D#m7 – G#7 – Bm7 – E7 – A#m7b5 – D#7b9 – G#m.

Yesterdays in Fa

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 F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F (descending half step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to B (ascending minor third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A# (ascending tritone), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 G# to G# by unison.

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.