[Dixielandjazz] Flatted Fifths

[Harold Smith]

Don Ingle called it right on target.  Flatted fifths, musically used,
add a beautiful element to  an otherwise diatonic (sorry for that, fans)
strain.  Matter of fact, classical composers used them all the time.
One prime example is the lovely melody of the Mozart "Elvira Madigan"
piano concrto's slow movement, where it is definitely part of the actual
melody.

Wagner andBrahms used them at various times, just to name a few.  And,
Bob Haggart used it very prominenlly as part of the melody in "What's
New".

The bad rap that the flatted fifth ("augmeted elevnth" or "major
eleventh") got is due to the Boppers making that interval an end unto
itself.  It was one of their signature feaures, with everything ending
on one of those chords containing a flatted fifh.  If they played "Now I
Lay Me Down to Sleep" it would have ended with a flatted ifth, with
everyone trying to out-screech the next guy.  It became somewhat of a
farce, when played by wannabe musicans, and therfore was scorned by the
straight ahead, swing and traditional players.

Too bad.  I've heard dozens of really great players practically wind
themselves into knots trying NOT to play one. Converslely, I've heard
other realy great players go way out of their way to interject a flatted
fifth when it shouldn;t have been used.  Playing a flatted fifth when it
isn't a part of the legitimate melody is a matter of musical discretion
and taste.  When it's done in that way,  it can be a rewarding musical
experience.

Damn!!! I've gone pedantic again!

Harold Smith