Diminished fifth chords or tritones – what are they?
Strictly speaking, diminished fifth chords (also known as tritones) are not chords, but intervals that consist of only two notes. These are the root (1) and the diminished (flatted) fifth (b5). By means of octavation, however, additional notes can be picked, so that the full sound of a chord is created.
Due to their diminished fifth, tritones have a very unstable sound that strives for resolution. These chords were feared in ancient music as diabolus in musica.
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Diminished fifth chords or tritones – what are they?
Strictly speaking, diminished fifth chords (also known as tritones) are not chords, but intervals that consist of only two notes. These are the root (1) and the diminished (flatted) fifth (b5). By means of octavation, however, additional notes can be picked, so that the full sound of a chord is created.
Due to their diminished fifth, tritones have a very unstable sound that strives for resolution. These chords were feared in ancient music as diabolus in musica.