The Tritone
6 semitones — the tension in dominant chords
Prove it — just do the practice exercise.
B → F 6 semitones
B (root) → F (Tritone)
The tritone divides the octave exactly in half:
• 6 semitones = augmented 4th / diminished 5th
In a dominant 7th chord (e.g. G7), the 3rd and 7th form a tritone:
B → F = 6 semitones
This tension wants to resolve — to C (the tonic). This is the foundation of all functional harmony.
• 6 semitones = augmented 4th / diminished 5th
In a dominant 7th chord (e.g. G7), the 3rd and 7th form a tritone:
B → F = 6 semitones
This tension wants to resolve — to C (the tonic). This is the foundation of all functional harmony.