Tritones#1 : what is a tritone ?

One octave is 6 tones wide. So, if you split the octave in two , you get an interval of tritone. A tritone is 3 tones wide.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tritone_in_the_chromatic_circle.png

If you arrange the notes on the circle of fourths or fifths, and you pick for instance C, the interval of tritones gets you the F#. On the circle, F# and C are opposite. C and F# are said antipolar. It is also the case of D and Ab, B and F, etc...

Let's unroll the C major scale and the F# major scale

The C major scale is :

C D E F G A B

1 -1 2 2'' -2 3'' -3 4

The F# major scale is :

F# Ab Bb B C# Eb F F#

2' 3''' 3' 3 4' 4° -5 5°

If you assemble the notes of each scale, you get the chromatic scale, that is, all the notes : the twelve notes

C C# D Eb E F F# G Ab A Bb B

Some musicians were interested in the properties of the tritone because of its symmetric properties. For instance, Nicolas Slonimsky used it as a mirror by which transposing the notes on each side, as if it was a "virtual" musical plane, and eaqually dispatch the intervals symmetrically above or below.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nicolas_Slonimsky.JPG?uselang=fr

There's also some theory around the symmetric properties of Dominant chords because they integrate a tritone : for instance, G7 embeds a B and F, which are 3 tones apart. That's what makes this chord tensed and interesting, furthermore often enriched with alterations.

Later, we'll explore some harmonica licks that use tritones and we will put them into context.

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