Satin Doll by Duke Ellington is played in the key of C at a advanced difficulty level, originally released in the 1950s. It uses 3 chords — Dm7 G7 C — arranged in the ii-V-I progression.
About the ii-V-I progression
The ii-V-I is the most common progression in jazz. It creates strong voice leading and satisfying tension-release: the ii chord tees up the dominant V, which then resolves cleanly to the tonic. Every jazz standard uses this movement in some form, and it appears briefly in countless pop songs too.
Playing in the key of C
C major is the theoretical home key of Western music: all natural notes, no sharps or flats. On guitar, C, Am, Em, F, and G are the working chords. The one wrinkle is F, which as the IV chord requires either a barre or a partial shape — the first "difficult" chord most beginners meet.
Related songs
More songs in the key of C
Learn to play Satin Doll by Duke Ellington on guitar. It sits in the key of C and uses the ii-V-I progression with the chords Dm7 G7 C.