Who composed As Time Goes By?

As Time Goes By was composed by Herman Hupfeld. It is a ballad standard in 4/4 time. The original key is Eb; this page shows it transposed to D.

What key is As Time Goes By in?

The original key of As Time Goes By is Eb. The form is AABA with 41 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to D.

What scales work for improvising over As Time Goes By?

Recommended scales for As Time Goes By in D: bebop, bebop major. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis (e.g., Phrygian Dominant over secondary dominants).

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic walking bass, drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

As Time Goes By in D

Herman Hupfeld()balladBallad

Do Re MiC D E

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — As Time Goes By in D (Guitar)

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FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

As Time Goes By in 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 E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to E (descending whole step), E to D (descending whole step), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to B (ascending major third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to B (ascending minor third), B to G (descending major third), G to A (ascending whole step). 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 A to E 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.

ballad4/4 · 41 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: Em7, A7, Am6, D6, Fdim7, F♯m7, E7, DMaj7, Am7, D7, GMaj7, B7, Em, G♯dim, Bm, G7, Adim.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D