[bmurnahan]

Hi Fretsource,

I will add my 2 cents here. A passing tone connects 2 notes that are a whole step apart.

What you are asking about is a scale tone choice. This is where a knowledge of keys comes in handy. As you stated, in the key of G the F# would be a better choice. In the key of C the F would be a better choice.

In some music you have only one chord for an extended period of time. This is when a
knowledge of how different notes work to create different flavors come into play. If you have one chord like Ami for instance, do you play F of F#? How about B or Bb?

Ah the joys of studying music. You spend years in the practice room to learn these things but on the bandstand you ultimately just want to trust your ears and hope everthing you have worked on will come out in the wash.