I Know That You Know in D

Vincent Youmans / Anne Caldwell(1926)swing

I Know That You Know 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 E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C# (descending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to D (ascending minor third), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to G (descending half step), G to B (ascending major third), B to E (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 E to E by unison.

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 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: E7, A7, DMaj7, C♯7, F♯m7♭5, B7♯9, D, F♯m, Bm, G♯m7♭5, GmMaj7, B7, Em.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D