Standards

The Frim Fram Sauce chords & key

Key: B♭ major
Form: AABA
Bars: 32
Groove: Medium swing
Time signature: 4/4

“The Frim Fram Sauce” is a jazz standard by Joe Richardel. Most bands play it in B♭ major, medium swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 3 major ii–V–I cadences and 1 minor ii–V–i, uses 13 different chords and moves between the key centres F minor, E♭ major, F major and B♭ major. In this atlas it appears on 14 album tracks.

Chord changes

to key

Showing in: Concert (C) — B♭ major

B♭⁶

C⁷

E♭⁶E^dim7

B♭_/FG⁷

C⁷F⁷

B♭⁶F⁷

B♭⁶

F^m7B♭⁷

G^m7C⁷

F^m7B♭⁷

E♭⁶

G^m7C⁷

F^maj7G♭^dim7

G^m7C⁷

C^m7F⁷

B♭⁶

C⁷

E♭⁶E^dim7

B♭_/FG⁷

C⁷F⁷

B♭⁶F⁷

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

Harmonic analysis

3Major ii–V–I

1Minor ii–V–i

6ii–V moves

0Tritone substitutions

6Dominant chains

13Different chords

Most used chords

C⁷×12
B♭⁶×9
F⁷×6
E♭⁶×4
E^dim7×3
B♭_/F×3

Key centres reached by ii–V

F minor, E♭ major, F major and B♭ major

Characteristics

AABA song form

Recorded on these albums

1953	The Glory of Love The Crew-Cuts · “The Frim-Fram Sauce”
1956	The Crew Cuts The Crew Cuts · “The Frim-Fram Sauce”
1957	Ella and Her Fellas Ella Fitzgerald
1984	You’re Lookin’ at Me: A Collection of Nat King Cole Songs Carmen McRae · “Frim Fram Sauce”
1991	One Night Stand Buddy Rich and His Orchestra
1991	Rags to Riches Buddy Rich
1992	The Unforgettable Concert Natalie Cole · “Frim Fram Sauce”
1993	Stepping Out Diana Krall · “Frim Fram Sauce”
1996	All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio Diana Krall · “Frim Fram Sauce”
2002	Devil May Care Greetje Kauffeld · “Frim Fram Sauce”
2002	Hit That Jive, Jack! John Pizzarelli · “The Frim-Fram Sauce”
2005	All My Life Ella Fitzgerald
2005	Solo Michel Camilo
2009	Live in Rio Diana Krall · “Frim Fram Sauce”

Standards with similar changes

Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.

Title	Composer	Key	Form	Groove
Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home 29%	Hughie Cannon	G major	ABAC · 32	Medium-up swing
Them There Eyes 29%	Tracy-Tauber-Pinkard	A♭ major	ABAC · 32	Up-tempo swing
Don't Get Around Much Anymore 28%	Duke Ellington	C major	AABA · 32	Medium swing
When You're Smilin' 26%	Shay - Fisher - Goodwin	B♭ major	AB · 32	Medium swing
On The Sunny Side Of The Street 25%	Jimmy McHugh	C major	AABA · 32	Medium swing
Só Danço Samba 25%	Antonio-Carlos Jobim	C major	AABA · 32	Bossa nova
Crazy Rhythm 23%	Wolfe-Kahn-Meyer	F major	AABA · 32	Up-tempo swing
I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan 23%	Arthur Schwartz	C major	ABC · 20	Ballad

Frequently asked questions

What key is The Frim Fram Sauce in?

The Frim Fram Sauce is usually played in B♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is C major, for E♭ instruments G major.

Who wrote The Frim Fram Sauce?

The Frim Fram Sauce was written by Joe Richardel.

What is the form of The Frim Fram Sauce?

The Frim Fram Sauce has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.

How fast is The Frim Fram Sauce played?

The usual groove is Medium swing.

What are the chord changes to The Frim Fram Sauce?

The opening bars are Bb6 | Bb6 | C7 | C7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.