Amapola in D

Joseph LaCalle()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
D/F♯
A7/E
A7♯5
D/F♯

Chord Diagrams — Amapola in D (Guitar)

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Amapola 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 D (ascending unison), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A (ascending major third), A to A (ascending unison), A to A (ascending unison), A to B (ascending whole step), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to E (descending whole step), E to G (ascending minor third), G to B (ascending major third), B to E (ascending 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 D by whole step.

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 · 32 bars · Form: AB

Chords: D, D/F♯, Fdim, A7/E, A7, A7♯5, B7, F♯m7, Em, Gm, Bdim, Em7.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D