Explore More

Oh! Look At Me Now 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 D (descending whole step), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A (ascending whole step), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to F (ascending tritone), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to B (descending whole step). 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 B to A by whole step.

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.

medium-swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: A7, E7, Dmaj7, Dm7, G7, Amaj7, F♯7, B7, F7, G♯7, D♯7, C♯m7, Bm7.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D