“Satin Doll” was composed by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in 1953, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer added later. It’s one of the most played tunes at jam sessions and casual gigs, and it’s often recommended as one of the first standards to learn because its harmony teaches ii-V motion so clearly.
The form is a 32-bar AABA, usually in C major. The A section is a chain of ii-Vs: Dm7 to G7 (twice), Em7 to A7 (twice), Am7 to D7, Abm7 to Db7, and then home to C. Each pair moves up or down by step, which gives the tune its gentle, strolling feel. The bridge moves to Gm7 and C7, landing in F major, then Am7 and D7 to G major, before a ii-V brings you back to C.
For improvisation, treat each two-bar ii-V as its own key. Over Dm7 to G7, think C major; over Em7 to A7, think D major; over Am7 to D7, think G major; and over Abm7 to Db7, think Gb major. Practicing one simple phrase in each of those keys will make your solo follow the harmony closely. The melody itself is a repeating motif, and repeating short ideas is very much in the spirit of the tune.
Practice at a relaxed medium swing, around 120 BPM. Play roots, then guide tones, then arpeggios. Listen to Ellington’s own recordings for the feel, and to Ella Fitzgerald’s vocal versions for phrasing. It’s also a great tune for practicing walking bass lines because of its clear root movement.
Recordings to study: Duke Ellington’s own band versions, Ella Fitzgerald’s vocal performances, and the many organ trio recordings that give it a bluesy, relaxed groove. Each one shows a different way to swing the same simple ii-V chain.
Common mistake: rushing the swing feel. Keep it laid back and let the melody’s space breathe. Learn more about the composers on Duke Ellington’s Wikipedia page, and find more beginner standards on Minedit.