Estate in D

Bruno Martino / Bruno Brighetti(1960)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Cm7/F
Em7/A
Em7/A
Cm7/F
Em7/A

Chord Diagrams — Estate in D (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

Estate 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 G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A (ascending whole step), A to C (ascending minor third), C to C (ascending unison), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to E (ascending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to C (ascending half step), C to F (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 F to D by minor third.

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 · 45 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Dm7, Gm7, A7♯9, C7, Cm7/F, FMaj7, A♯Maj7, D♯7♭5, Em7/A, A7, DMaj7, G♯dim, C♯7, F♯m7, B7, Cm7, F7.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop minor, D bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D