Night and day in D

Cole Porter(1932)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Night and day in D (Guitar)

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Night and day 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 A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to F (descending half step), F to E (descending half step), E to C (descending major third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D (descending minor third). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from D to A# by major 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 · 34 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A♯Maj7, A7, D, G♯m7♭5, Gm7, F♯m7, Fdim7, Em7, C7, F, D6.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D