Standards
Freight Train chords & key
- Key
- A♭ major
- Form
- A
- Bars
- 12
- Groove
- Medium-up swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Freight Train” is a jazz standard by Tommy Flanagan. It is usually played in A♭ major as a medium-up swing, and the 12-bar A form repeats as one section. Harmonically it contains 1 major ii–V–I cadence and 2 minor ii–V–i, uses 16 different chords and moves between the key centres F minor, D♭ major and B♭ minor. Its changes follow the 12-bar blues.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — A♭ major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Cm7×2
- F7×2
- B♭m7×2
- E♭7×2
- A♭maj7×1
- Gm7♭5×1
Key centres reached by ii–V
F minor, D♭ major and B♭ minor
Characteristics
- 12-bar blues
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
Frequently asked questions
What key is Freight Train in?
Freight Train is usually played in A♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is B♭ major, for E♭ instruments F major.
Who wrote Freight Train?
Freight Train was written by Tommy Flanagan.
What is the form of Freight Train?
Freight Train has 1 sections (A) with 12 bars in total.
How fast is Freight Train played?
The usual groove is Medium-up swing.
What are the chord changes to Freight Train?
The opening bars are Abmaj7 | Gm7b5 C7b9 | Fm7 Em7 | Ebm7 Ab7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.