Son de la Loma in D

Son de la Loma in D

Son de la Loma in D: Miguel Matamoros's son cubano. Mixolydian and Major Pentatonic scales bring out the groove and energy of these changes. Chords: D6 – D – G – A7sus4 – A7 – F#7b9 – B7#5 – Em – Em7 – B7b9 – A9 – C – B.

Son de la Loma 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 G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A (ascending whole step), A to A (ascending unison), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to C (ascending minor third), C to B (descending half step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from B to D by minor third.

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.