Armando's Rhumba in D

Chick Corea(1976)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
E7♭9/G♯
E7/B
F/C
A♯m/C
A♯m/C
Aaug7
Aaug7

Chord Diagrams — Armando's Rhumba in D (Guitar)

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Armando's Rhumba 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 E (ascending whole step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to E (descending minor third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to F (ascending half step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to F# (descending major third), F# to G (ascending half step), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to A (ascending half step), A to A (ascending unison). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from A to D by perfect fourth.

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 · 36 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Dm, E7, A7, Dm7, D7♭9, Gm7, E7♭9/G♯, Am7, A♯dim, E7/B, F/C, A♯m/C, F♯7, G7, G♯7, Aaug7, A7♭9.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop minor, D bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D