[Dixielandjazz] Flatted Fifths

[Jim Beebe]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Harold Smith" <s3856lpa at webtv.net>


> 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

Please get pedantic more often, Harold.  You said it, in a couple of
paragraphs.

Jim Beebe