4.1 Style — The Sound of the Flatted Fifth (b5) Tension and color are created in a blues melody when the lowered or flatted fifth (b5) scale step is added. This important note should not always be used as a passing tone. This is an important reason for learning to pattern the blues scale with and without the flatted fifth Here is the Blues scales with the Flatted Fifth (b5). be Playing the Flatted Fifth (b5) Imitate the examples of the Flatted fifth (b5) after each is played now by selected instruments. Notice how they are "scooped or bent" when they are played. In the early days of jazz, the Flatted Fifth (b5) was an inflection used to express greater emotion. Listen and Play Track 4.1.1