A tritone, also known as an augmented fourth or diminished fifth, is a musical interval consisting of three whole tones. It is considered to be one of the most dissonant intervals in Western music and has been used for centuries to create tension and dissonance in music. The tritone is a crucial element in Western music theory, and its use has been prevalent in various musical genres, including jazz.
In piano, the tritone is often used to create dissonance and tension in the music. Jazz pianists, in particular, often use the tritone to add a unique sound to their music. One of the most common ways that jazz pianists use the tritone is through the use of the dominant seventh chord. The dominant seventh chord is made up of a root note, a major third, a perfect fifth, and a minor seventh. By replacing the perfect fifth with a tritone, jazz pianists can create a more complex and dissonant sound.
The tritone substitution is another popular technique used in jazz piano. This technique involves replacing a dominant seventh chord with another dominant seventh chord that is a tritone away. For example, the dominant seventh chord of G7 can be substituted with a Db7 chord, which is a tritone away from G7. This technique is often used in jazz improvisation, and it can add a unique sound and harmonic complexity to a piece of music.
In conclusion, the tritone is a crucial element in Western music theory and has been used for centuries to create tension and dissonance in music. In piano, the tritone is often used in jazz music to add a unique sound and harmonic complexity. Jazz pianists use various techniques, such as tritone substitution, to incorporate the tritone into their music. The tritone’s relevance in piano and jazz music is undeniable, and its use continues to be prevalent in contemporary music today.
Sources:
- “Tritone.” Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, accessed March 22, 2023.
- Levine, Mark. The Jazz Piano Book. Petaluma, CA: Sher Music Co., 1989.
