Do Re MiC D E

I Remember Clifford

Benny Golson(1957)4/4ballad

Chord Diagrams — I Remember Clifford in D (Guitar)

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I Remember Clifford 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 A (ascending whole step), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to F (descending half step), F to G (ascending whole step), G to A (ascending whole step), A to B (ascending whole step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to A (descending half step), A to B (ascending whole step), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to B (descending major third), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from C# to G by tritone.

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.

ballad4/4 · 38 bars · Form: A

Chords: G, A9, F♯7, Fm7, Gm7, Am7, Bm7, Em7, A7♭9, Em7/B♭, D, G♯dim, A♯dim, A7, Bm7/B♭, C♯7, G♯m7♭5, F♯m7/F, F♯m7, G♯7, D♯m7♭5, B7, F♯m7♭5, C♯m7♭5.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D