Who composed Aquarela do Brasil?

Aquarela do Brasil was composed by Ary Barroso in 1939. It is a samba standard in 4/4 time.

What key is Aquarela do Brasil originally in?

The original key of Aquarela do Brasil is D. The form is ABCDE with 51 bars.

What scales work for Aquarela do Brasil?

Recommended scales for Aquarela do Brasil in D: bebop, bebop major. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis.

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic piano montunos (4 rhythm variations, multiple voicing types), drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

What style is Aquarela do Brasil?

Aquarela do Brasil is a samba standard.

Aquarela do Brasil in D

Ary Barroso(1939)sambaSamba

Do Re MiC D E

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — Aquarela do Brasil in D (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

Dm6

B7♭9♯5

B - D♯ - G - A - C

Dmaj9

G♯9♭5

Em♯5

Aquarela do Brasil in D

Aquarela do Brasil in D — Ary Barroso's samba classic. Explore Bebop Major and Major Pentatonic scales over these sophisticated changes. Chords: D6 – Dm6 – B7b9#5 – B7b9 – Em9 – A9 – Dmaj9 – Em7 – Dmaj7 – G#9b5 – D7 – C#7 – C7 – B7 – F#m7b5 – Em – Em#5 – Em6 – C9 – C#7#9 – F#m7 – Bm7 – E9 – A7b9.

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

samba4/4 · 51 bars · Form: ABCDE

Chords: D6, Dm6, B7♭9♯5, B7♭9, Em9, A9, Dmaj9, Em7, Dmaj7, G♯9♭5, D7, C♯7, C7, B7, F♯m7♭5, Em, Em♯5, Em6, C9, C♯7♯9, F♯m7, Bm7, E9, A7♭9.

Scales for Improvisation D bebop, D bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of D