Can Can in D

J.Offenbach()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C
D
Dm/A
D♯dim/A
Dm/A
D♯dim/A
A/C♯
D7/C
G/B
A/C♯
D7/C
G/B

Chord Diagrams — Can Can in D (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
A7
EADGBEx23
EADGBE111x25frEADGBE1111327frEADGBEx1324
D
EADGBExx132
2frEADGBE1114325frEADGBE11123410frEADGBE111342
G
EADGBE213
3frEADGBE1113425frEADGBE11x2437frEADGBE111432
E7
EADGBE21
5frEADGBEx3241x7frEADGBE1111349frEADGBE111xx2
A
EADGBEx234
2frEADGBE111x45frEADGBE1113427frEADGBEx1243
D7
EADGBExx213
3frEADGBEx3241x5frEADGBE11113410frEADGBE111132
Dm/A
5frEADGBE111342
EADGBExx2316frEADGBEx4231x10frEADGBE111134
D♯dim/A
EADGBExx12x3
4frEADGBEx41x236frEADGBEx1243x9frEADGBE31x42x
A/C♯
EADGBEx234
2frEADGBE111x45frEADGBE1113427frEADGBEx1243
D7/C
EADGBExx213
3frEADGBEx3241x5frEADGBE11113410frEADGBE111132
G/B
7frEADGBE111432
EADGBE2133frEADGBE1113425frEADGBE11x243

Can Can 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 A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to E (descending minor third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending 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 A 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.

swing2/4 · 120 bars · Form: ABCD

Chords: A7, D, G, E7, A, D7, Dm/A, D♯dim/A, A/C♯, D7/C, G/B.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D