The Midnight Sun Never Sets in F

Quincey Jones / Henri Salvador(1959)ballad
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — The Midnight Sun Never Sets in F (Guitar)

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The Midnight Sun Never Sets 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 F to G (ascending whole step), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to A (descending minor third), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to G (ascending minor third), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to C (descending minor third). 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 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.

ballad4/4 · 27 bars · Form: AB

Chords: FMaj7, G, D7, Am7, Gm7, C7, A♯Maj7, F7, Cm7, A7, Em7♭5, G7, Dm7, Fm7, A♯7, D♯Maj7, G♯7, F♯, A♯m, C♯7, D♯7, Caug.

Scales for Improvisation F bebop, F bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of F