Someone please explain "Tritones"

[keydrummer]

What up,
I need help,I want to understand what Tritones are and how to use them,The most basic elementry explaination as possiable will  be helpful.
Thanks,
Keydrummer

[ddw4e]

From my professor, cakinbro.... :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Tritones are very important, especially if you have a bass player in your band. Your can utilize your left hand with tritones and continue to play chords or scale runs with your right hand.

C bass goes with E + Bb
Db bass goes with F + B
D bass goes with Gb + C
Eb bass goes with G + Db
E bass goes with Ab + D
F bass goes with A + Eb
Gb bass goes with Bb + E
G bass goes with B + F
Ab bass goes with C + Gb
A bass goes with Db + G
Bb bass goes with D + Ab
B bass goes with Eb + A
C bass goes with E + Bb
Db bass goes with F + B

RULE #1: Tritones are symmetric.

That means that E+Bb can also be played as Bb+E.

… or Gb + C can be played as C + Gb.

RULE #2: Since there are really only 6 unique tritones, each tritone
shares TWO bass notes.

For example, E+Bb / or Bb + E is used both with a “C” or “Gb” bass.

… or D + Ab / or Ab + D is used both with a “Bb” or “E” bass.

Practice these tritones with your left hand and add some chords withy your right. Practice does make perfect.

God Bless

[keydrummer]

Thanks,
Your Explanation was insightful and helpful,Now I have to practice ,Any more information on tritones and tritone substitutions :?: :?:  : I would appreciate.
Thanks in advance,
Keydrummer

[B3Organist_007]

From a keyboard stand point, tritones flavor up your major chords also. To see what Im talking, go to www.gospelkeyboard.com; if you are not a member, register(FREE), Go to the free lessons section(under Video/audio clips) and watch the four videos titled shed, shedII, shed III, and shed IV. This will also help.

[OTee]

It seems like the tritones make dominant chords without the 5.

To find out which bass note to match with the tritone, just learn the
dominant chords

Dominant                    = 1 3 5 b7

Bass Note + Tritone     = 1 3    b7

Tritone w/ doubled b7  = b7  5  b7
 (I think this is where the word "tritone" comes from!)

The tritone with the doubled b7 puts the "5-tone" EXACTLY in the middle
of the b7 notes.

It is said you should only double the 1 or 5 but the tritone breaks the rules :wink:

Also, it seems like tritones are filler chords in between the "MAIN" chords of a progression.

STILL pondering :? bUT i THINK i GOT IT :wink:

[sjonathan02]

Also, it seems like tritones are filler chords in between the "MAIN" chords of a progression.

AND THIS is where I could use some help, how do you know what TRI-TONE to use and WHERE to use it as a filler.


For this, I need MUCH HELP!!!!! :!:  :!:  :!:

Jonathan

[ChrisWilliams]

From a purely technical / music theory point of view, a tritone is also known as an augmented 4th (a 4th plus a half-step). Ironically, back in the early classical Christian music days (think midevil times), tritones were considered evil representations of the devil and were avoided at all costs - even when by doing so they made a song sound strange.

They're vey common in most modern musical styles today. They definitely enhance richness of music and we've long since outgrown the superstition around them (J.S. Bach used them all the time). The suggestions above are excellent examples. Just play around and experiment and you will find new sounds and combinations.

[ChrisWilliams]

It seems like the tritones make dominant chords without the 5.

To find out which bass note to match with the tritone, just learn the
dominant chords

Dominant                    = 1 3 5 b7

Bass Note + Tritone     = 1 3    b7

Tritone w/ doubled b7  = b7  5  b7
 (I think this is where the word "tritone" comes from!)

Actually "tritone" comes from the idea that the interval spans exactly 3 whole steps: A major 2nd is 1 whole step, a major 3rd is 2 whole steps, a perfect 4th is 2 whole steps + 1/2 step, and tritone is 3 whole steps.