the Teddy Wilson school · ii–V–I in D major
Stride Tenths in D Major
The notes
| Chord | Notes (low → high) | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Em9 | E – G – B – D – F♯ | root · ♭3 · 5 · ♭7 · 9 |
| A9 | A – C♯ – E – G – B | root · 3 · 5 · ♭7 · 9 |
| Dmaj9 | D – F♯ – A – C♯ – E | root · 3 · 5 · 7 · 9 |
Why it works
From Em9 to A9, 5 voices move (E2→A2, G3→C♯4, B3→E4, D4→G4, F♯4→B4) against 0 held tones. Into Dmaj9, 5 voices settle by step or small leap (total motion of just 34 semitones). Smoothness here is measurable, not a metaphor.
In D major, 4 of the 15 notes fall on black keys — a mixed terrain that is exactly why this progression must be practiced in every key, not just C. The lowest note is D2 in the low register; below roughly C3, close intervals start to blur, and this voicing stays clear of that line.
Practice tip: play the progression rubato first and listen for the held tones, then put the metronome on 2 and 4 at a slow tempo. When the grab is automatic, move around the circle of fourths — you are coming from A and headed to G. Say the chord symbols out loud as you play; naming and hearing are different skills, and you want both.
Where D major lives in the repertoire
D major is scarcer in the American songbook than its two open guitar strings suggest, but bossa nova adopted it wholeheartedly — Jobim's "Wave" is the canonical D major vehicle, and its final cadence is this progression. It also turns up mid-tune constantly as the ii–V–I of the relative approach to F♯ minor sections.
About this voicing style
The swing-era left hand: root and third spread a tenth apart, under a right-hand chord. Read the full story and get it in all 12 keys →
Listen: Teddy Wilson with Billie Holiday; Art Tatum's left hand; Fats Waller's stride.
Around the circle
Practice keys in the order bassists walk them — up a fourth: ← A · D · G →