Grover Washington Jr.’s timeless instrumental “Just the Two of Us,” featuring Bill Withers’ soulful vocals, is a favorite for musicians worldwide. For guitarists looking to capture its smooth, jazzy essence, understanding the chord progression is key. This lesson dives into the “Just the Two of Us” guitar chords, offering a breakdown of the song’s harmonic structure and exploring lead guitar approaches using scales. Designed for intermediate to advanced players, we’ll unravel the theory and techniques to help you master this iconic tune. Before we get started, take a moment to listen to the original recording to familiarize yourself with the nuances of the song.
Deconstructing the “Just the Two of Us” Chord Progression
The foundation of “Just the Two of Us” is built upon a sophisticated chord progression rooted in F minor, although it tastefully borrows chords from related keys to create its distinctive sound. Let’s explore the chord options for the verse and chorus sections.
Verse/Chorus Chord Options
Option 1: Core Chord Changes
In the key of F minor, the tonic chord (i) is Fm. The progression begins with a Dbmaj7 chord, which functions as a bVI (flat-six) chord in F minor. This is followed by a C7, a dominant V7 (five-seven) chord. The C7 creates a harmonic minor pull, strongly resolving to the tonic Fm.
From Fm, the progression moves into a ii-V-I (two-five-one) sequence: Ebm7-Ab7-Dbmaj7. This segment temporarily shifts the harmonic focus towards Db major, acting as a smooth detour before circling back. Notice how this ii-V-I movement elegantly leads back to the Dbmaj7, which eventually resolves to the tonic Fm again via the C7. This cyclical nature is a defining characteristic of the verse and chorus.
Verse/Chorus Option 1:
| Dbmaj7 | C7 | Fm | Fm |
| Ebm7 | Ab7 | Dbmaj7 | Dbmaj7 |Option 2: Adding Jazz Flavors with Extended Chords
To enhance the jazzy feel of “Just the Two of Us,” you can enrich the chords by using extensions. Dbmaj7 can be voiced as Dbmaj9, and C7 can become C7b9 (C dominant 7 flat 9). The C7b9 is an altered dominant chord, adding a touch of dissonance and sophistication.
While Option 1 provides smooth voice leading along the first string, Option 2 introduces a descending melodic line on the second string, creating a different kind of harmonic interest. Experiment with both to hear the subtle yet impactful differences.
Verse/Chorus Option 2:
| Dbmaj9 | C7b9 | Fm | Fm |
| Ebm7 | Ab7 | Dbmaj9 | Dbmaj9 |Option 3: Chromatic Movement
This variation incorporates chromatic movement from Fm to Ebm7, mirroring a subtle nuance often heard in the original recording, particularly during the chorus. You have the flexibility to linger on Ebm7 for an extra beat or transition to Ab7 on beat four. This choice is yours and depends on the rhythmic feel you want to create.
Verse/Chorus Option 3:
| Dbmaj7 | C7 | Fm Ebm7 | Ebm7 (or Ab7) |
| Ebm7 | Ab7 | Dbmaj7 | Dbmaj7 |Remember, these are just starting points. The beauty of “Just the Two of Us” lies in its adaptability. Feel free to explore different chord voicings, positions on the guitar neck, and even experiment with alternative chord types to personalize your rendition.
Interlude Chord Progression
The interlude section of “Just the Two of Us” takes a different harmonic path, characterized by chromatic movement along the low E string (6th string). It alternates between maj7 (major 7) and 7#5 (7 sharp 5) chords, creating a sense of tension and release. The section culminates in a Gb13 chord, adding a final touch of jazzy complexity.
Many guitarists, when jamming on “Just the Two of Us,” choose to refrain from soloing over the interlude, allowing its unique chordal texture to stand out.
Visual representation of “Just the Two of Us” guitar chords and tablature, illustrating chord voicings and progression.
Utilizing a Capo for Acoustic Guitar
For acoustic guitarists, a capo can simplify playing “Just the Two of Us” chords. By placing a capo on the first fret, you can use familiar chord shapes: Cmaj7, B7, Em, Dm7, and G7. Effectively, the capo transposes the key, allowing you to play in E minor using these easier chord fingerings. You can experiment with placing the capo at different frets to find a key and voicing that suits your vocal range or preferred guitar tone. Playing in E minor without a capo is also an option for those comfortable with E minor chord shapes.
Lead Guitar Scales for “Just the Two of Us”
Adding melodies and lead lines to the “Just the Two of Us” chord progression offers a rewarding improvisational experience. Here are several scale options, ranging from simple to more harmonically nuanced.
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F Minor Pentatonic Scale: The F minor pentatonic scale is a versatile and accessible choice for soloing over the entire chord progression. Despite the song’s jazzy harmony, the bluesy and rock-oriented F minor pentatonic scale surprisingly complements the chords. The pentatonic notes will create interesting relationships with each chord in the progression. Its simplicity makes it a great starting point. You can use any of the five pentatonic patterns; pattern one (as taught in many guitar courses) is a good starting position.
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F Natural Minor Scale: Expanding on the pentatonic scale, the F natural minor scale provides a richer melodic palette. Derived from Ab major, F natural minor incorporates two additional notes (G and Db) – the 2nd and b6th – expanding your melodic possibilities. Pattern five of the Ab major scale (which aligns well with the first pentatonic pattern) is a useful shape to explore. Be mindful of the G natural note, especially over the Ebm7 and Ab7 chords in the second half of the second measure, as it can clash with the Gb note present in those chords.
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F Harmonic Minor Scale (over C7): Introduce the F harmonic minor scale specifically over the V7 chord, C7. The major 7th of the F harmonic minor scale (E natural) becomes the major 3rd of the C7 chord, creating a strong dominant-tonic resolution. For the rest of the progression (before and after C7), revert to the F natural minor scale. This technique adds a touch of harmonic sophistication by highlighting the dominant function of the C7 chord.
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Db Major Scale / F Phrygian Mode (over Ebm7-Ab7): To understand this option, recognize that the Ebm7-Ab7 chord pairing is a ii-V movement borrowed from Db major. These chords function as a dominant preparation leading back to Dbmaj7. Therefore, you can effectively use the Db major scale over the Ebm7-Ab7 section. Considering your overall tonal center is F, think of the Db major scale starting from its third degree, F. This perspective aligns with the F Phrygian mode. F Phrygian and F natural minor are identical except for the b2nd (Gb in Phrygian). Temporarily lower any G notes to Gb during the Ebm7-Ab7 chords, and then return to F natural minor for the Dbmaj7 chord.
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Targeting Guide Tones: For a more chord-conscious approach, focus on targeting “guide tones” – chord tones that define the character of each chord. The critical notes in the “Just the Two of Us” progression are often a half-step below and a half-step above the tonic pitch, F.
- Over Dbmaj7: Target F natural (the major 3rd of Dbmaj7).
- Over C7: Target E natural (the major 3rd of C7).
- Over Fm: Target F natural (the root of Fm).
- Over Ebm7-Ab7: Target Gb (the minor 3rd of Ebm7 and b7th of Ab7).
Think of F minor pentatonic or F natural minor as your base scale. As you navigate the chord changes, consciously target these guide tones. When emphasizing the major 7th (E), avoid the b7th (Eb), and when targeting the b2nd (Gb), avoid the major 2nd (G). This targeted approach creates melodic lines that are closely tied to the underlying harmony, reminiscent of jazz guitar phrasing.
Many guitarists find playing “Just the Two of Us” in G minor (transposing everything up a whole step) to be more comfortable. This transposition provides more room to navigate scale patterns on the guitar neck.
Guitar neck diagrams illustrating scale patterns for improvising over “Just the Two of Us” chord progression.
By exploring these chord options and scale approaches, you’ll be well-equipped to play and improvise over the captivating chord progression of “Just the Two of Us,” adding your personal touch to this beloved classic.
