key term - Tritone

Definition

A tritone is an interval that spans three whole tones, or six half steps, often referred to as an augmented fourth or diminished fifth. This interval is known for its dissonant sound and tension, making it a key element in harmony and voice leading. Its distinctive quality can create a sense of instability and is frequently used in various musical textures to enhance harmonic movement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The tritone divides the octave into two equal parts, making it one of the most distinctive intervals in Western music.
2. Historically, the tritone was called 'diabolus in musica' (the devil in music) due to its unsettling sound.
3. In functional harmony, the tritone often resolves to a consonant interval, typically moving from a dominant seventh chord to the tonic.
4. The tritone is prominent in jazz and contemporary music, used to create tension before resolutions.
5. When composing, the use of tritones can significantly affect the emotional impact and texture of a piece.

Review Questions

• How does the tritone function within harmony and voice leading, particularly regarding its resolution?
  • In harmony and voice leading, the tritone plays a critical role due to its dissonant nature. It often appears in dominant seventh chords where the interval creates tension that needs to be resolved. When the tritone resolves, it typically moves to a consonant interval, such as a major or minor third, creating a satisfying resolution and enhancing the overall harmonic progression.
• Discuss how the use of tritones affects key relationships in music composition.
  • The use of tritones can significantly impact key relationships by creating strong pull between different tonal centers. Since the tritone spans three whole tones, it can serve as a bridge between keys that are distantly related. Composers can use this interval to modulate or shift keys within a piece, allowing for unexpected changes that enrich the harmonic language and maintain listener interest.
• Evaluate the role of tritones in establishing texture types within various musical genres.
  • Tritones play an essential role in establishing different textures across musical genres by contributing to complexity and tension. In jazz, they are frequently used in extended harmonies and chord progressions that emphasize rich textures. In classical music, tritones often highlight structural elements during climactic moments. By analyzing how composers utilize this interval within various styles, one can appreciate its versatility and significance in shaping musical expression and texture.

Related terms

Dissonance:

A combination of tones that creates a sense of tension or clash, often requiring resolution to consonance.

Consonance:

Harmonic intervals that sound stable and pleasant, providing a sense of resolution in music.

Voice Leading:

The practice of writing musical lines (or voices) in a way that creates smooth transitions between chords and melodies.