Do Re MiC D E

That Old Black Magic

Arlen Harold4/4medium-swing

Chord Diagrams — That Old Black Magic in D (Guitar)

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

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 · 66 bars · Form: ABCD

Chords: Dmaj7, Em7, A7, F♯m7, B7, C7, Fdim7, D6, C♯m7♭5, F♯7, Bm7, G7♯11, Gm7, Am7, D7, Gmaj7, A7sus4.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D