Easy To Love in Re

Cole Porter()swingModerately

Easy To Love in Re

Easy To Love in Re

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 E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to F# (descending half step), F# to G (ascending half step), G to B (ascending major third), B to B (ascending unison), B to G (descending major third), G to F# (descending half step), F# to F (descending half step), F to D (descending minor third). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from D to E 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 · 33 bars · Form: ABAC

Chords: Mim7, Lam7, La7, ReMaj7, SolMaj7, Fa♯m7, Sol7, Sim7, Si7, Solm6, Fa♯7, Fadim, Re6.

Scales for Improvisation Re bebop, Re bebop major.