😈 The Devil’s Interval, also known as the tritone, is one of music theory’s most infamous sounds. It spans three whole tones (or six semitones), creating a dissonant, unsettling effect that’s been stirring emotions—and controversy—for centuries.
🎵 What It Is
- Technically, it’s the interval between two notes that are three tones apart.
- In the C major scale, the tritone occurs between F and B.
- It’s also called an augmented fourth or diminished fifth, depending on context.
🕰️ Historical Reputation
- In medieval times, the tritone was considered so discordant it earned the nickname “diabolus in musica”—the devil in music.
- While it wasn’t officially banned by the Church, it was avoided in sacred compositions because it clashed with the ideals of divine harmony.
🎸 Modern Revival
- Black Sabbath famously used the tritone in their 1970 debut, giving heavy metal its dark, brooding sound.
- It’s also heard in:
- “Maria” from West Side Story
- Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze”
- The opening of The Simpsons theme song.
🧠 Why It Feels Unsettling
- The tritone’s frequency ratio (like 45:32) doesn’t align with the simple, pleasing ratios our brains prefer (like 2:1 for an octave).
- This creates a sense of tension and instability, which composers use to evoke drama, suspense, or even menace.
