Who composed Dile a Catalina?

Dile a Catalina was composed by Arsenio Rodríguez, arr. Irakere in 1957. It is a son-montuno standard in 4/4 time.

What key is Dile a Catalina originally in?

The original key of Dile a Catalina is F. The form is Intro-A-B-C-D-E-Solo-Ending with 36 bars.

What scales work for Dile a Catalina?

Recommended scales for Dile a Catalina in F: bebop, bebop major. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis.

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic piano montunos (4 rhythm variations, multiple voicing types), drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

What style is Dile a Catalina?

Dile a Catalina is a son-montuno standard.

Dile a Catalina in F

Arsenio Rodríguez, arr. Irakere(1957)son-montunoSon-Montuno

Do Re MiC D E

Clave 2-3

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — Dile a Catalina in F (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

Gm11

G13

C13

F69

A♯69

Dm9

G13♯11

G - B - D - F - A - C♯ - E

B13

A♯13

Dile a Catalina in F

Dile a Catalina in F: Arsenio Rodríguez, arr. Irakere's son cubano. Mixolydian and Major Pentatonic scales bring out the groove and energy of these changes. Chords: F – A# – C – Gm11 – A#maj7 – Am7 – Gm7 – Fmaj7 – Em7b5 – A7b9 – Dm7 – G13 – C13 – F6 – F69 – A#69 – E7 – A7 – Dm9 – G13#11 – Cb13 – A#13.

Dile a Catalina in 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 F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to A (descending half step), A to G (descending whole step), G to F (descending whole step), F to E (descending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F (ascending unison), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to Cb (ascending perfect fourth), Cb to A# (descending whole step). 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 F 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.

son-montuno4/4 · 36 bars · Form: Intro-A-B-C-D-E-Solo-Ending

Chords: F, A♯, C, Gm11, A♯maj7, Am7, Gm7, Fmaj7, Em7♭5, A7♭9, Dm7, G13, C13, F6, F69, A♯69, E7, A7, Dm9, G13♯11, C♭13, A♯13.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F