Do Re MiC D E

Bean And The Boys

Hawkins Coleman4/4up-tempo-swing

Chord Diagrams — Bean And The Boys in D (Guitar)

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Bean And The Boys 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 F (ascending half step), F to D (descending minor third), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to E (ascending whole step), E to G (ascending minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to G (descending perfect fourth). 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 G 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.

up-tempo-swing4/4 · 64 bars · Form: ABC

Chords: D6, C♯m7♭5, F♯7♭9, Bm7, E7, Fm7♭5, D6/C, A7, G6, G♯dim7, D6/E♭, Em7, G7, Cdim7, Gm6.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D