Do Re MiC D E

H & H

Metheny Pat4/4up-tempo-swing

Chord Diagrams — H & H in D (Guitar)

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H & H 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 F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A# (descending half step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to E (ascending whole step), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to G (descending half step), G to F (descending whole step), F to C# (descending major third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to G (descending half step), G to F (descending whole step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (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 G# to C# by perfect fourth.

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.

up-tempo-swing4/4 · 43 bars · Form: AB

Chords: C♯, F♯, B, A♯, D♯, A, Dsus4, D, E, G♯, G, F, C♯7, F♯7, G♯m7, Gdim7, Fm7, A♯7, D♯m7, G♯7.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D