All the Way in D

Jimmy Van Heusen / Sammy Cahn(1957)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
G/B
A7/C♯
Bm7/A
G/B
A7/C♯

Chord Diagrams — All the Way in D (Guitar)

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All the Way 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 D to C# (descending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A (descending minor third), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to E (descending minor third), E to E (ascending unison), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to G (descending major third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to B (descending half step), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to A (ascending half step), A to F# (descending minor third). 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 F# to D by major 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.

swing4/4 · 34 bars · Form: A

Chords: D, C♯m7♭5, F♯7, Bm7, E9, A7, G/B, Cdim7, A7/C♯, Am7, D7, G, Em7, E7, Bm7/A, Gm7, C7, B7, G♯m7♭5, A9/G, F♯m7♭5.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D