Reflections in D

Thelonious Monk(1954)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — Reflections in D (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
A♯9
EADGBEx1234
5frEADGBE11234x6frEADGBE11132412frEADGBE2222x1
B7
EADGBEx2134
EADGBE1111344frEADGBE111xx27frEADGBE111132
C7
EADGBEx3241
3frEADGBE1111345frEADGBE111xx28frEADGBE111132
DMaj7
EADGBE111xx
2frEADGBE111x435frEADGBE1113247frEADGBE111xx4
A7♭9
EADGBE11x23
5frEADGBE1114236frEADGBE11xx2311frEADGBE11x234
Em7
EADGBE2
EADGBE114237frEADGBE1111328frEADGBExx2314
Fm7
EADGBE111113
3frEADGBExx14238frEADGBE1111329frEADGBExx2314
B13♭9
EADGBE44x213
EADGBE1111344frEADGBE1114327frEADGBE111234
F♯m7
EADGBE111113
4frEADGBExx14239frEADGBE11113210frEADGBExx2314
C♯m7♭5
4frEADGBEx1324x
5frEADGBE11xx248frEADGBE2x341x11frEADGBE222xx1
D♯7
EADGBExx1324
6frEADGBE111x348frEADGBE111xx211frEADGBE111132
E7sus4
EADGBE23
5frEADGBE11x2347frEADGBE1111349frEADGBE11xx23
D♯dim
EADGBExx12x3
4frEADGBEx41x236frEADGBEx1243x9frEADGBE31x42x
D♯augadd9add7
Fdim
EADGBExx12x3
6frEADGBEx41x238frEADGBEx1243x11frEADGBE31x42x
B7♯11
EADGBE11x234
EADGBE111x236frEADGBE2x341x9frEADGBExx1234
F♯m7♭5
EADGBE2341
4frEADGBE222xx19frEADGBEx1324x10frEADGBE11xx24
A7
EADGBEx23
EADGBE111x25frEADGBE1111327frEADGBEx1324
G13♯11
G - B - D - F - A - C♯ - E
D7
EADGBExx213
3frEADGBEx3241x5frEADGBE11113410frEADGBE111132
F♯7♯5
EADGBE1x234x
4frEADGBExx14237frEADGBEx43129frEADGBE11x432
G7♯11
EADGBE111234
5frEADGBExx12349frEADGBE11x23410frEADGBE111x23
C♯m7
4frEADGBE111x32
5frEADGBExx23149frEADGBE11111411frEADGBExx1423
Bm7
EADGBE111132
3frEADGBExx23147frEADGBE1111139frEADGBE11x423
E7♭9
EADGBE312
4frEADGBE11346frEADGBE11x23410frEADGBE3241xx
Bm9
EADGBEx1234
3frEADGBE222x147frEADGBE11113410frEADGBE112234

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

swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: A♯9, B7, C7, DMaj7, A7♭9, Em7, Fm7, B13♭9, F♯m7, C♯m7♭5, D♯7, E7sus4, D♯dim, D♯augadd9add7, Fdim, B7♯11, F♯m7♭5, A7, G13♯11, D7, F♯7♯5, G7♯11, C♯m7, Bm7, E7♭9, Bm9.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D