Lamento Borincano in D

Lamento Borincano in D

Lamento Borincano in D: Rafael Hernández's son cubano. Bebop Major and Major Pentatonic scales bring out the groove and energy of these changes. Chords: G#m – A – F#m – G#m7 – AM7b5 – F#M7 – Fm7 – D# – C#/C – G#m6 – B9 – EM7 – A#m7b5 – D#7 – F#7 – E7 – G# – G#6 – G7#5 – F7#9 – D#7sus – C#13.

Lamento Borincano 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 G# to A (ascending half step), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to A (ascending half step), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to F (descending half step), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to B (ascending minor third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A# (ascending tritone), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to F# (ascending minor third), F# to E (descending whole step), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to G (descending half step), G to F (descending whole step), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to C# (descending whole step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from C# to G# 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.