Jeepers Creepers in D

Harry Warren / Johnny Mercer(1938)swing

Jeepers Creepers 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 A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to D (ascending minor third), D to D (ascending unison), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to E (descending minor third), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to B (ascending whole step), B to C (ascending half step). 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 C to A by minor third.

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 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A7, Em7, Bm7, D6, D7, Am7, G6, E7, F♯m7, A, B7, C7.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D