How Insensitive in D

A. C. Jobim()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
A7/C♯
G7/B
Bm11
Gm6/A♯

Chord Diagrams — How Insensitive in D (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

How Insensitive 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 A (descending perfect fourth), A to C (ascending minor third), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to E (ascending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to C# (ascending major third), C# to C (descending half step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to B (ascending tritone), B to A# (descending half step), A# to A (descending half step), A to B (ascending whole step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to G (ascending minor third). 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 D 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.

swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: Dm7, A7/C♯, Cm6, G7/B, A♯6, D♯Maj7, Em7♭5, A7♭9, C♯7, Cm7, F9, Bm7♭5, A♯Maj7, A7, Bm11, E7♭9, Gm6/A♯.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop minor, D bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D