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Ted Greene Arrangement - August 3, 1977
Compilation pages by P. Vachon

Ted's Original Lesson sheet
SatinDoll_TedGreeneArr_1977-08-03.pdf

My compilation pages, changes and comparisons
SatinDoll_TedGreeneArr1977-08-03_NotesGrids.pdf

Ted’s 1977 chord-melody arrangement of this classic Duke Ellington jazz standard is a level 1 arrangement or  “basic version.” Ted wrote this in “Outline Format,” so he expects the player to “add a melody note here and there” in order to complete the arrangement. 

I went ahead and created the music notation and combined it with Ted’s grid diagrams, added lyrics, and added the missing chords.  It’s a pretty easy piece to learn, so I have no comments on fingerings, etc.  However, there is one melody note which Ted left out of the arrangement (the same note in two spots)—the C in measures 11 and 14, both on beat 4.  I added the note in the music notation, and you should be able to figure out a way to include this when you play the arrangement.

One other thought:  you’ll probably like the piece better if you don’t play it exactly as written.  Swing it a little bit; add some rhythmic life to it, punch the chords, syncopate the harmony, add a groove or a walking bass!  If you’re not familiar with this song, listen to how other players interpret it.

We’re lucky to have recently discovered a rare recording of Ted playing Satin Doll during a private lesson with Nick Stasinos (thanks, Nick!).  You can find it in the Audio section here.  Ted plays an awesome impromptu rendition that includes a walking bass line and a killer contrary motion tag at the end.  Very hip!  It’s different from his written arrangement, so don’t expect to be able to play along!

Enjoy!
--Paul



 
   
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