We mentioned that a tritone naturally occurs in a dominant 7th chord between the 3rd and 7th tones. Now, let’s take a closer look at the tritones in the final measure of the example above. However, the inversion of a tritone is still a tritone! The tritone is the only interval in which the notes remain the same distance apart when inverted. Similarly, the inversion of a perfect fourth is a perfect 5th. For example, a major 3rd, when inverted, becomes a minor 6th. The inversion of all other intervals give you the same notes with different intervalic distance.

In order to truly grasp the concept of tritone substitution, it is important that you understand the significance of the fact that the tritone is a symmetrical interval. Dominant 7th chords such as C7 contain a tritone between the 3rd and 7th tones of the chord. Finally, a tritone occurs naturally in a dominant 7th chord between the 3rd and 7th of the chord. Thirdly, a tritone is the only interval which results in an interval of the same exact size when inverted.

Secondly, since an octave includes twelve ½ steps and a tritone includes six ½ steps, it divides an octave perfectly in half. First, it is one of the most dissonant sounding interval. The tritone has several unique characteristics. Tritones can be spelled as either an augmented 4th or a diminished 5th. The notes of a tritone interval are 3 whole steps apart (or 6 half steps). Tritones can be written on the staff as an augmented 4th (ie: E to A♯) or a diminished 5th (E to B♭). A tritone is simply the common name for an interval spanning three whole steps. However, you have certainly played a tritone many times. If you are beginner piano student, you may have never heard of a tritone.

This Complete Guide to Tritone Substitution will enable you to add rich passing chords to your favorite jazz tunes too! Intro to Tritone Substitution Properties of Tritone Intervals Beginner & Advanced Jazz Piano Voicings.Applying Tritone Substitution to a Tune.How & Where to place Tritone Substitutions.Have you noticed that many of your favorite jazz pianists seem to effortlessly add additional chords to familiar tunes? How do they do that? In today’s Quick Tip, we’ll unpack the most common jazz piano technique used by all the pros to play beautiful chord substitutions and add sweet passing chords-the tritone substitution.

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