E. S. P. in D

Wayne Shorter(1964)swing

E. S. P. 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 C# to D (ascending half step), D to C (descending whole step), C to B (descending half step), B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to D# (descending half step), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from D# to C# 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.

swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: C♯7, DMaj7, CMaj7, B7, Bm9, E7, Em7, D♯Maj7, A♯9, A♯m7, D♯7.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D