Tritone substitution

Definition

Tritone substitution is a harmonic concept where one dominant seventh chord is replaced by another dominant seventh chord that is a tritone away. This technique creates a richer harmonic palette and allows for smoother voice leading in chord progressions, often enhancing the tension and resolution in musical phrases. It is widely used in jazz and popular music to add complexity to harmonic improvisation and create unexpected turns in the music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In tritone substitution, the original dominant chord (e.g., G7) is replaced by another dominant chord a tritone away (e.g., Db7), which maintains the same function but offers different color.
2. This technique works particularly well because the third and seventh of the original chord are retained in the substituted chord, ensuring a strong resolution when it moves to the tonic.
3. Tritone substitutions are commonly found in jazz standards and are often used during ii-V-I progressions to enhance harmonic interest.
4. Using tritone substitution can help create smoother transitions between chords by utilizing common tones and minimizing large leaps in voice leading.
5. The use of tritone substitutions can lead to surprising harmonic shifts that keep listeners engaged, making them an essential tool for improvisation.

Review Questions

• How does tritone substitution impact voice leading within a chord progression?
  • Tritone substitution enhances voice leading by allowing musicians to maintain common tones between chords. For example, when substituting G7 with Db7, both chords share the notes F and B. This results in smoother transitions as musicians can move between these chords with minimal movement in their melodic lines. By preserving these shared notes, the overall flow of the progression feels more cohesive.
• What role does tritone substitution play in jazz harmony, specifically within ii-V-I progressions?
  • In jazz harmony, tritone substitution adds depth and complexity to ii-V-I progressions by providing alternate paths for resolution. When a ii chord like Am7 leads to a V7 chord (D7), substituting it with Ab7 allows for an unexpected yet effective transition back to the I chord (Cmaj7). This substitution not only enhances harmonic interest but also creates more opportunities for improvisation by offering players different tonal colors to explore.
• Evaluate the effects of incorporating tritone substitution on harmonic improvisation and listener engagement.
  • Incorporating tritone substitution into harmonic improvisation significantly enriches the musical experience for both performers and listeners. By introducing surprising shifts in harmony, musicians can create moments of tension and release that keep audiences captivated. Additionally, this technique encourages improvisers to think outside conventional patterns, allowing for creative expression that fosters a dynamic interplay between established harmony and innovative exploration. As musicians master tritone substitution, they can expand their stylistic repertoire while enhancing overall listener engagement.

Related terms

Dominant Seventh Chord: A dominant seventh chord consists of a major triad and a minor seventh, creating a tension that typically resolves to a tonic chord.

Voice Leading: Voice leading refers to the smooth movement of individual musical lines or voices from one chord to the next, emphasizing the resolution of dissonances.

Chromaticism: Chromaticism involves using notes outside of the standard diatonic scale, often adding color and tension to music through unexpected pitches.