<\/audio><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nDepending on the context, the tritone is also called an augmented fourth or a diminished fifth. As you can see, the tritone lies exactly between the perfect fifth and the perfect fourth - the two most harmonious intervals of all. Ironically, the interval in the middle is exactly the opposite - it sounds completely disharmonic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
History of the tritone: Why is it called the devil's interval?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The tritone, also referred to as \"diabolus in musica\" (the devil in music), is an interval that was often avoided in medieval and Renaissance musical practice. The term \"diabolus in musica\" first appears in 18th-century writings, but seems to date back to an older practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reason for this association is primarily the dissonant, tension-filled sound of the tritone, which was in strong contrast to the preference at the time for consonant, harmonic intervals. Dissonances were considered difficult to master and required musical resolution; they created a kind of restlessness or tension in music. This was in stark contrast to the ideal of musical perfection and harmony that was being sought in music at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in medieval symbolism there was a connection between certain musical tones and spiritual or secular concepts. The tritone, which is exactly half an octave, may have been considered disturbing or \"disorderly\" because of this asymmetry, contributing to its \"devilish\" association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The church played a very important role because of its authority in society and especially in music. The church decided what music was \"good\" or \"bad\", what music could be used to praise God, and most songs were composed with a spiritual background. And the church was set: Music should be beautiful and harmonious. The tritone, of course, did not fit into this picture and was therefore associated with the devil or heretics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tritone in rock and metal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The \"Devil's Interval\" fits perfectly with the \"music of the devil\", rock and metal - no wonder that many popular guitar riffs in these genres use this interval. Artists like Marilyn Manson, Metallica or Black Sabath have used this interval to create their sinister sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marilyn Manson uses a tritone in the main riff on the E guitar<\/a> in his song \"Beautiful People\" - the guitar constantly alternates between E\u266d and A (the distance is the same in both directions, as it is exactly half an octave).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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