Jazz lead sheet · Intermediate
Satin Doll
A tune made of repeated ii–Vs that step up, then slide down to the tonic.
- Composer
- Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn
- Form
- AABA, 32 bars
- Key
- C major
- Style
- Swing
- Length
- 32 bars
A1C major
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
E Dorian
V7/iiA Mixolydian
E Dorian
V7/iiA Mixolydian
A Dorian
V7/VD Mixolydian
A♭ Dorian
subV7D♭ Lydian ♭7
Imaj7C Ionian
Imaj7C Ionian
A2
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
E Dorian
V7/iiA Mixolydian
E Dorian
V7/iiA Mixolydian
A Dorian
V7/VD Mixolydian
A♭ Dorian
subV7D♭ Lydian ♭7
Imaj7C Ionian
Imaj7C Ionian
BF major
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
Imaj7F Ionian
Imaj7F Ionian
G majorC major
ii7A Dorian
V7D Mixolydian
ii7A Dorian
V7D Mixolydian
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
A3
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
E Dorian
V7/iiA Mixolydian
E Dorian
V7/iiA Mixolydian
A Dorian
V7/VD Mixolydian
A♭ Dorian
subV7D♭ Lydian ♭7
Imaj7C Ionian
Imaj7C Ionian
For students
What to notice
- The A section starts with ii–Vs instead of the tonic: Dm7–G7, then Em7–A7 a step higher.
- Am7–D7 to A♭m7–D♭7 drops a half step: the second ii–V is a tritone substitute pair that lands on C.
- The bridge moves up a 4th to F major (Gm7–C7–Fmaj7), then up a step to G (Am7–D7).
Practice plan
Three steps to improvising
- Bracket every ii–V in the chart and say the key each one points to.
- Play one ii–V lick and move it to each ii–V in the tune.
- Guide tones in bars 5–7 show the chromatic slide: listen for the half steps.
For teachers
Using this chart in class
- Project the chart with Play along running and loop one section while students find the guide tones.
- Choose Practice → Name the numerals for a whole-class quiz: students vote, then reveal the explanation.
- Mixed ensemble? Print the worksheet once per transposition: B♭, E♭, F and bass clef parts all line up bar for bar.
- Share a link: the key, instrument and view you choose are saved in the address bar.
Chord changes are common performance versions written out by Music Theory Lessons. No melodies or lyrics are reproduced. Names of songs and composers are used only to identify each tune.