Domino in D

Louis Ferrari / Jacques Plante / Don Raye(1950)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C

Chord Diagrams — Domino in D (Guitar)

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Domino 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 D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A (ascending whole step), A to C (ascending minor third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to C (ascending unison), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to D (descending whole step), D to E (ascending whole step). The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from E to D 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.

swing3/4 · 79 bars · Form: ABC

Chords: Dm, D7, Gm, A7, C7, F, Cm, C, A♯, Em, D, E7.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop minor, D bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D