On The Sunny Side Of The Street in D

J. McHugh()swing

On The Sunny Side Of The Street 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 D to F# (ascending major third), F# to G (ascending half step), G to A (ascending whole step), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to B (ascending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to E (descending minor third), E to D (descending whole step). 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 D to D by unison.

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: D6, F♯7, G6, A, A♯dim, Bm7, E7, Em, A7, D7, Am7, G, Em7, D.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D