Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You in D

Don Redman / Andy Razaf(1929)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You in D (Guitar)

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Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You 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 B to G (descending major third), G to F# (descending half step), F# to E (descending whole step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to C# (descending half step). 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 C# to B 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 · 16 bars · Form: A

Chords: B7, G7, F♯7, E7, A7, D6, D7, G6, G♯dim7, D6/A, C♯m7♭5.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D