Tritone Substitution

Definition

Tritone substitution is a harmonic technique where one dominant seventh chord is replaced by another dominant seventh chord a tritone away. This method adds tension and can create smoother voice leading in common chord progressions, enhancing the overall harmonic texture and allowing for greater chromatic movement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tritone substitution commonly occurs in jazz and popular music as a way to introduce unexpected harmonic shifts while maintaining functional harmony.
2. The concept derives from the interval of a tritone, which divides the octave into two equal parts and is known for its dissonant quality.
3. When substituting chords, the original dominant seventh chord's root is replaced with the new dominant seventh chord's root, usually leading to the same resolution.
4. This technique allows for modulation and can enrich standard progressions like the ii-V-I by introducing variations that enhance the listener's experience.
5. Many classic jazz standards utilize tritone substitutions in their chord progressions, showcasing its importance in creating interesting and dynamic musical phrases.

Review Questions

• How does tritone substitution enhance common chord progressions, and what are some of its typical applications?
  • Tritone substitution enhances common chord progressions by replacing a dominant seventh chord with another dominant seventh chord a tritone away, adding harmonic richness and tension. This technique is often found in jazz and popular music, where it creates smoother transitions between chords. By allowing for chromatic movement and unexpected resolutions, tritone substitution can transform standard progressions into more engaging musical phrases.
• Discuss the role of voice leading in the context of tritone substitution and how it affects chord transitions.
  • Voice leading plays a crucial role in tritone substitution as it facilitates smooth transitions between chords. When employing this technique, the individual voices within each chord move minimally to their new positions in the substituted chord. This careful consideration ensures that the movement remains fluid and cohesive, enhancing the overall listening experience while maintaining harmonic function.
• Evaluate the impact of tritone substitution on the overall harmonic structure of a piece and its contribution to chromaticism.
  • Tritone substitution significantly impacts the harmonic structure by introducing chromaticism and expanding the tonal palette available to composers and performers. By utilizing this technique, musicians can create unexpected harmonic relationships that lead to richer musical expressions. The added tension created by the tritone interval allows for more diverse resolutions, making compositions feel more dynamic and engaging while also challenging traditional harmonic conventions.

Related terms

Dominant Seventh Chord: A four-note chord that consists of a root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh, creating strong tension that resolves to the tonic.

Voice Leading: The practice of moving individual melodic lines or voices smoothly from one chord to another, ensuring minimal movement between notes.

Chromaticism: The use of notes outside the traditional scale or key, often employed to create tension, interest, and color in music.