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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