Feeling Good in D

Anthony Newley / Leslie Bricusse(1964)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Dm/F
F/C
G9sus4
Dm/F
A♯Maj7♯11
G9sus4

Chord Diagrams — Feeling Good in D (Guitar)

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Feeling Good 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 G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to D (ascending major third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to G (ascending whole step), G to G (ascending unison), G to F (descending whole step), F to D (descending minor third), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to A (descending half step), A to F (descending major third), F to F (ascending unison), F to G (ascending whole step), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to A# (ascending unison). 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 A# to G 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 · 34 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G9, Dm7, A, A♯, Dm, G, Dm/F, FMaj7, Gm7, G7, F7, DmMaj7, A7, A♯Maj7, Am, F, F/C, G9sus4, A♯6, A♯Maj7♯11.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop minor, D bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D