[Dixielandjazz] Re: Flatted fifths

[Charlie Hull]

Altered notes - the flatted 5 is probably the most common - are like
seasoning in food.  When not overdone they add interest to a solo melody or
chord.

Many compositions and songs use the device of a lowered note which, being
'out of tune', creates a tension that is eased when the note resolves into a
scale note.

I'm betting the flatted fifth and seventh, the 'blue' notes, once sounded
out of tune and exotic.  They're now the most common 'seasonings' in popular
music and in vocal and instrumental stylings.

Charlie Hull