[Dixielandjazz] Re: Flatted fifths

[Don Ingle]

When is a flatted fifth no longwer a flatted fifth. Consider these notes
C E G B D Fsharp. That is the root, third, fifth, major seventh, ninth and
11th, all build on major thirds. Now if you drop back to the fifth and flat
it, you are enharmonically identical to the major 11th. While a violinist
might favor the differences as being free to do so, the piano is a fixed
pitch instrument and so the notes of a flatted fifth and a major 11th will
only sound as an octave.
Like all "gimmicks" that come and go in music, the flatted fifth was given
some special fame in the bebop era, and has long worn out its repuatation as
being something special or unique. Use  it but don't abuse it -- as applies
as well to anyting else that becomes a cliche.
With an ool-ya-coo to all,
Don Ingle
Don Ingle
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charlie Hull" <charlie at easysounds.com>
To: <theflorences at shaw.ca>; "djml" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2003 9:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Re: Flatted fifths


> 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>