Increased fourth - reduced fifth. Meet Triton

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Intervals are the simplest combinations of two notes. In the theoretical section of music, that is, in solfeggio, they are studied first of all, since in the future more complex chords will be built on their basis. All intervals are divided into consonances - soft sounding and dissonances - sharp sounding. It is to the second category that the enlarged quart belongs, or, more simply, the tritone. What is it and what properties does the interval have? Let's figure it out.

What is this?

So, let's start with such a simple concept as a pure quart. An interval, which, unlike a second, a third, a sixth, or a seventh, cannot be large or small - it is one, that is, pure. The fifth has the same properties - an interval that is one tone more than a fourth.

A fourth is the space between four notes (hence the name). However, the number of tones in this interval is 2.5. As for the pure fifth, this is the distance between five notes,but the number of tones in it is equal to 3, 5.

If we increase the "tone" of a fourth by half a tone, and, accordingly, reduce this indicator in a fifth by the same amount, then we will get exactly three tones. This is the tritone with its uncomplicated name, which accurately reflects its structure. Therefore, an augmented fourth can also be a diminished fifth, but the sound of the interval will be identical. But writing is the very defining moment that allows us to judge whether the interval consists of four or five notes.

Tritons in major

These unique intervals can be found within any key, be it major or minor. It is important to know on what steps they are built and under what conditions. Well, we have a natural C major, and within its framework we need to find a tritone. An enlarged fourth from fa will be built here, since this is the fourth step. The top note of the interval will be si, and between these two sounds there will really be three tones. If we want to build a perfect fourth from F, we should press B-flat, but this is not included in the rules for C major.

If we build an augmented fourth in the harmonic C major, then in addition to the IV degree, that is, the note F, the starting point can also be the VI reduced - A-flat. The distance from it to re will just be equal to three tones.

Tritons in minor key

Majors and minors are parallel frets. Secondare built on the sixth steps of the first, therefore the increased fourths in them will sound the same. It's just that with respect to the minor scale, they will be built on other steps in a row. Let's, since we already considered C major in the previous paragraph, let's take A minor parallel to it. In the natural minor mode, the tritone is built on the VI degree, that is, from the same note fa, and si becomes its top. If we work in a harmonic minor, where the seventh is elevated, then we need to "dance" from the fourth step - the note re. The top of the interval will be G-sharp - the seventh raised.

Reversal of newts

Inversion of an interval or chord is the transfer of a lower sound upwards. In the case of an increased fourth, the sound of the interval will not change at all - it will simply increase slightly by three tones exactly. However, in writing, the fourth will become a fifth, as the interval will now extend between five notes. Due to the fact that the upper sound will be lowered, the fifth will be reduced. On a good example, from the same note fa we build an enlarged quart - fa - si. We turn it over and get si - fa - fifth, but due to the lack of a flat before si or sharp before fa, it does not reach the pure sound of 3.5 tones and turns into a tritone.

Resolution of newts

We've seen how to build an augmented fourth in C major, now let's resolve it into a more stable interval within a given scale. The path that a newt of this type will follow is indicated in its name "increased", therefore, it willincrease. That is, the lower IV step will go into III - upstoy, and the upper VII - into I - tonic. A stable interval is formed by the notes mi and do (upper) - that is, a small sixth. With the resolution of a tritone in a minor, built on the VI degree, a small sixth is also formed. In the case of a diminished fifth, this interval, accordingly, becomes smaller and turns into a major third.

We took the parallel keys C major and A minor so that there would be no confusion with the signs. So you can quickly understand what the highlight of the tritones is, what they sound and write like, and how they behave relative to the stable steps next to them. But they also exist in other, more complex tonalities, they are also located on the unstable VII, IV and "harmonic" steps, forming very interesting and a bit harsh sounds.

Conclusion

It turned out that building a tritone is as simple as "do-re-mi", it is only important to correctly navigate in the key and know which steps to start from. The interval is very specific, but necessary for a complete understanding of the theoretical course of music. The easiest way to understand its essence is on the piano - here, in the places where the black keys break, this mysterious interval is built.