If You Could See Me Now in D

Tadd Dameron()balladBallad
Do Re MiC D E
A
A
B
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Chord Diagrams — If You Could See Me Now in D (Guitar)

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If You Could See Me Now in D

If You Could See Me Now in 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 G (ascending perfect fourth), G to F# (descending half step), F# to F (descending half step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to F# (descending minor 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 A (descending whole step), A to G# (descending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to E (ascending half step), E to A (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 A 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.

ballad4/4 · 38 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: DMaj7, G7, F♯m7, Fm7, A♯7, Em7, A7, F♯7♯5, B7, G♯m7♭5, Gm7, Bm7, Am7, G♯m7, C♯7, A♯m7, D♯7, E7, AMaj7.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D