Tritone Interval
The Devil's Interval - 6 semitones of maximum tension that demands resolution and drives harmonic motion in Western music.
Theory Fundamentals
Interval Properties
- •Size: 6 semitones (3 whole steps)
- •Quality: Augmented 4th / Diminished 5th
- •Sound: Maximum dissonance, unstable
- •Consonance: Most dissonant interval
- •Function: Demands resolution
Common Examples
- •F to B: Augmented 4th
- •B to F: Diminished 5th
- •"The Simpsons": Opening theme
- •"Maria" (West Side Story): Opening leap
Guitar Applications
Tritone Intervals - The Devil's Interval
The tritone (6 semitones) is the most dissonant interval, creating maximum tension that demands resolution. It's essential in dominant chords and drives harmonic motion.
F → B Tritone
Augmented 4th - Classic devil's interval
F (6th string 1st fret)
B (5th string 2nd fret)
F to B Tritone
C → F# Tritone
Augmented 4th in C major
C (5th string 3rd fret)
F# (4th string 4th fret)
C to F# Tritone
G → Db Tritone
Diminished 5th relationship
G (6th string 3rd fret)
Db (5th string 4th fret)
G to Db Tritone
Dominant 7th Chords - Tritone in Action
G7 Chord
G7 with tritone B-F
G7 Chord
- • Tritone: B → F (creates tension)
- • Resolution: Wants to resolve to C major
- • Blues foundation: Essential blues chord
C7 Chord
C7 with tritone E-Bb
C7 Chord
- • Tritone: E → Bb (dominant tension)
- • Jazz staple: Essential jazz chord
- • Voice leading: Smooth to F major
E7 Chord
E7 with tritone G#-D
E7 Chord
- • Tritone: G# → D (drives to A)
- • Open position: Easy fingering
- • Rock/blues: Classic rock chord
Fretboard Patterns & Musical Applications
Diminished Harmony
Fully Diminished Chord
Fully Diminished Chord
- • Symmetrical: Equal divisions of octave
- • Chromatic passing: Connect diatonic chords
- • Maximum tension: Multiple tritones
Harmonic Function
Tritone Resolution
Tritone Resolution
- • Leading tone function: Pulls to resolution
- • Voice leading: Smooth contrary motion
- • Modal interchange: Borrowed chord effects
Musical Examples & Famous Uses
Classical Examples
"Maria" (West Side Story)
Opening tritone leap expresses intense longing
Bernstein uses tritone for emotional impact
Medieval "Diabolus in Musica"
Forbidden in medieval music due to dissonance
Church considered it evil and unstable
Popular Music
"The Simpsons" Theme
Distinctive tritone creates quirky, unsettling character
Danny Elfman's use of classical dissonance in TV
Blues and Jazz Standards
Dominant 7th chords rely on tritone tension
Essential for authentic blues and jazz harmony
Practice Exercises
Ear Training
- • Use "The Simpsons" as reference
- • Practice tritone vs. perfect 4th/5th
- • Listen to dominant 7th resolutions
- • Study jazz and blues progressions
- • Compare augmented 4th vs. diminished 5th
Technical Practice
- • Master 6-fret same-string tritones
- • Practice F-B and B-F intervals
- • Work on dominant 7th chord shapes
- • Study diminished chord patterns
- • Practice tritone substitutions
Musical Application
- • Create tension with tritone leaps
- • Study V7-I resolution patterns
- • Explore jazz tritone substitutions
- • Practice blues dominant progressions
- • Analyze dissonance in favorite songs
Theoretical Context
Harmonic Function
"Diabolus in Musica"
Medieval church considered the tritone so dissonant and unstable that it was forbidden in sacred music, earning the nickname "the devil in music."
Theoretical Foundation
The tritone perfectly divides the octave in half, creating maximum distance from consonant perfect intervals.
Historical Development
Tonal Harmony Driver
In tonal music, the tritone creates the tension that drives harmonic progression, especially in dominant 7th chords resolving to tonic.
Jazz and Blues Essential
Modern jazz and blues rely heavily on tritone harmony for their characteristic sound and harmonic sophistication.
Related Intervals & Comparisons
Perfect 4th
5 semitones - one semitone smaller
Stable vs. unstable - consonant vs. dissonant
Perfect 5th
7 semitones - one semitone larger
Tritone sits exactly between perfect 4th and 5th
Octave Division
6 + 6 = 12 semitones
Perfectly divides the octave - maximum distance from consonance
Continue Your Interval Journey
From maximum dissonance, explore intervals that offer resolution and harmonic stability.