Satin Doll Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Satin Doll in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: Dm7 – Dm – Dm – G7 – C – Em – Am – A7
Satin Doll sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: Dm7 is D, F, A and C; Dm is D, F and A; G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G; Em is E, G and B; Am is A, C and E; A7 is A, C#, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Dm7ii7DmiiDmiiG7V7CIEmiiiAmviA7VI7
- Dm7D · F · A · C
- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- EmE · G · B
- AmA · C · E
- A7A · C# · E · G
136 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Jazz walk
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Jazz walkWalking bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Steady chords
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 112 BPM
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
5
Ending: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D

What chords are in Satin Doll?

The loop is Dm7 – Dm – Dm – G7 – C – Em – Am – A7 (ii7 – ii – V7 – I – iii – vi – VI7 – ii7) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.

What key is Satin Doll in?

C major, at about 112 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Satin Doll?

Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Satin Doll easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of Satin Doll?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.