Bye, Bye Blues in D

Grey, Bennettlown, Hamm()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
D/F♯

Chord Diagrams — Bye, Bye Blues in D (Guitar)

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Bye, Bye Blues 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 A# (descending major third), A# to B (ascending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to E (descending half step), E to D (descending 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 D to D by unison.

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.

swing2/2 · 20 bars · Form: AB

Chords: D, A♯7, B7, E9, A7, D/F♯, Fdim, Em7, D6.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D