TRITONE Meaning and
Definition
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Tritone refers to a musical interval that spans three whole tones, or six semitones, or encompasses three steps of the seven-step diatonic scale. It is considered one of the most dissonant intervals in Western music due to its inherent instability and unresolved tonal quality.
The tritone is also known by its other common names, such as the augmented fourth or diminished fifth. In terms of pitch, it divides an octave symmetrically, occupying the space between the perfect fourth and perfect fifth intervals. For example, in the C major scale, the tritone would be found between the notes F and B.
Historically, the tritone was often avoided in early musical compositions due to its dissonance and perceived association with the devil. It was commonly referred to as the "diabolus in musica" or the devil's interval. However, in later periods, composers started to experiment and intentionally use the tritone to introduce tension, dissonance, and contrast in their compositions.
In contemporary music, the tritone has become an essential element of various genres, including jazz, blues, and rock. It is frequently used to create a sense of suspense, instability, or to challenge traditional tonal conventions. Moreover, the tritone is often employed as a harmonic tool, providing opportunities for chord substitutions, modulations, and harmonic coloration.
Common Misspellings for TRITONE
Etymology of TRITONE
The word "Tritone" is derived from the Latin term "tritonus", which means "three tones" or "three whole steps". It was later anglicized to "Tritone". The term refers to a musical interval of three whole tones, equivalent to an augmented fourth or a diminished fifth. In medieval music theory, the Tritone was considered dissonant and was referred to as "diabolus in musica" (the devil in music) due to its perceived harshness and instability.
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