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Take The A Train in D
Take The A Train in D — Duke Ellington's anthem, defined by its signature #IV chord (II7#11). Use Lydian Dominant over that chord for the characteristic uptown sound, Bebop Major everywhere else. Changes: D6 – E7b5 – Em7 – A7 – D – D7/e – G – A#7/Gb – A9 – Dmaj9 – GMaj7 – E7 – Em9 – D#9.
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 E (ascending whole step), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to E (descending minor third), E to E (ascending unison), E to D# (descending 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 D# to D 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.