Freddie Freeloader (Eb major) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Chord Distribution Analysis

No obvious ii-V patterns detected.

Harmonic Highlights

• Utilizes a standard 12-bar blues structure in Bb, employing dominant 7th chords for the I (Bb7), IV (Eb7), and V (F7) functions.
• Features a signature “backdoor” resolution in the final two bars, substituting the tonic Bb7 with an Ab7 (bVII7) chord.
• The Ab7 chord introduces a Mixolydian b6 or Lydian b7 color, creating a distinctive “Cool Jazz” tension that avoids a traditional V-I cadence.
• The harmonic rhythm is slow and stable, favoring melodic development over complex, rapid-fire chord substitutions found in bebop.

Improvisation Focus Bb Mixolydian scale, shifting to Ab Mixolydian (or Bb Dorian) to specifically address the bVII7 chord in the turnaround.

Difficulty Rating 2/5: The slow tempo and repetitive blues form are highly accessible, though the non-diatonic Ab7 requires intentional note selection to resolve the phrase correctly.