What Kind of Fool Am I? in D

Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley(1962)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
E7/D
A7sus4
D69

Chord Diagrams — What Kind of Fool Am I? in D (Guitar)

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What Kind of Fool Am I? 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 B (descending minor third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A (descending minor third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth). 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 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 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: DMaj7, Bm7, Em7, A7, B7, E7, E7/D, C♯m7, F♯m7, Am7, D7, GMaj7, C7, A7sus4, D69.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D