Standards

Fran Dance chords & key

Key
B♭ major
Form
AABAB
Bars
40
Groove
Medium swing
Time signature
4/4

“Fran Dance” is a jazz standard by Miles Davis. Most bands play it in B♭ major, medium swing; the tune runs 40 bars in AABAB form. Harmonically it contains 7 major ii–V–I cadences, uses 10 different chords.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — B♭ major

A
×2
B♭7
A♭7
G7sus
C7
F7
F7
Cm7F7
B♭6
B
Cm7/F
F7
B♭maj7/F
G7/F
Cm7/F
F7
B♭6
B♭6
A
B♭7
A♭7
G7sus
C7
F7
F7
Cm7F7
B♭6
B
Cm7/F
F7
B♭maj7/F
G7/F
Cm7/F
F7
B♭6
B♭6

Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.

Harmonic analysis

7Major ii–V–I
0Minor ii–V–i
7ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
6Dominant chains
10Different chords

Most used chords

  • F7×13
  • B♭6×7
  • Cm7/F×4
  • B♭7×3
  • A♭7×3
  • G7sus×3

Standards with similar changes

Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.

TitleComposerKeyFormGroove
He's A Tramp 32% Lee-Burke G major AABA · 32 Medium swing
If I Knew Then (What I Know Now) 32% Jurgens-Howard E♭ major AB · 32 Medium swing
It's Only a Paper Moon 30% Harold Arlen G major AABA · 32 Medium swing
Line For Lyons 28% Gerry Mulligan G major AABA · 32 Medium swing
My Secret Love 28% Roger Vogel E♭ major AABC · 48 Medium swing
Brazil (Aquarela Do Brasil) 27% Ary Barroso D major ABCD · 58 Samba
Flintstones 27% Hoyt Curtain B♭ major AABA · 32 Up-tempo swing
I'm An Old Cowhand 27% Johnny Mercer E♭ major A · 18 Medium swing

Frequently asked questions

What key is Fran Dance in?

Fran Dance is usually played in B♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is C major, for E♭ instruments G major.

Who wrote Fran Dance?

Fran Dance was written by Miles Davis.

What is the form of Fran Dance?

Fran Dance has 5 sections (AABAB) with 40 bars in total.

How fast is Fran Dance played?

The usual groove is Medium swing.

What are the chord changes to Fran Dance?

The opening bars are Bb7 | Ab7 | G7sus | C7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.