Philadelphia Freedom Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Philadelphia Freedom in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: Eb – Bb – Cm – Bb
Philadelphia Freedom sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Bb is Bb, D and F; Cm is C, Eb and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIVBbICmiiBbI
- EbEb · G · Bb
- BbBb · D · F
- CmC · Eb · G
53 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Stride jumps
Deep bass, then a chord in the middle: the left hand leaps. Musicians call it stride (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in 961 songs of the library.
Stride jumpsStride & boom-chick · StrideLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Shy chords
Waits out beat 1, then a chord on 2 and a little double on 3. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Shy chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 126 BPM
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
5
Ending: Eb – F – Bb
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFBb
- FF · A · C

What chords are in Philadelphia Freedom?

The loop is Eb – Bb – Cm – Bb (IV – I – ii – I) in Bb major, and the song ends on Eb – F – Bb.

What key is Philadelphia Freedom in?

Bb major, at about 126 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Philadelphia Freedom?

Stride jumps: stride, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Philadelphia Freedom easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.