Ac-Dc Current in D

Benny Goodman / Lionel Hampton / Charlie Christian(1937)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Em7/A

Chord Diagrams — Ac-Dc Current in D (Guitar)

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Ac-Dc Current in D

Key of D

D major is one of guitar's most resonant keys. The open D string acts as a droning root, and the open A string provides the fifth. This gives D-based strumming a wide, ringing quality that flatpicks and fingerpicks love. D is a beginner-level key on guitar because the open D and A strings provide a powerful bass foundation, and the open high E is the 2nd scale degree adding brightness. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to E (descending perfect fourth). 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 E to G by minor third.

Scales for Improvisation

D 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, D Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

swing2/2 · 11 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G9, D6, A7, Em7/A.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D