Tritone substitution is a harmonic technique used in jazz and other genres to create interesting chord progressions. It involves replacing a dominant 7th chord with another dominant 7th chord whose root is a tritone away. Let me explain with clear examples in the key of F major.
In the key of F major, the dominant 7th chord is C7, which consists of the notes C-E-G-Bb. Now, the tritone interval (an augmented fourth or diminished fifth) away from the root C is F# (or Gb). Therefore, we can substitute the C7 chord with an F#7 (or Gb7) chord.
Here's how tritone substitution works in the context of a ii-V-I chord progression in the key of F major:
1. **Original Progression**:
- Dm7 (ii chord) -> G7 (V chord) -> Cmaj7 (I chord)
2. **With Tritone Substitution**:
- Dm7 (ii chord) -> Db7 (Tritone substitution for G7) -> Cmaj7 (I chord)
So instead of playing G7 as the V chord, we substitute it with Db7. The Db7 chord contains the tritone interval (Db-F#), which creates tension and resolves nicely to the Cmaj7 chord.
Another example is in a blues progression in F major:
1. **Original Blues Progression**:
- F7 -> Bb7 -> F7 -> C7
2. **With Tritone Substitution**:
- F7 -> E7 (Tritone substitution for Bb7) -> F7 -> B7 (Tritone substitution for C7)
In this case, we substitute the Bb7 and C7 chords with E7 and B7 respectively, creating a different harmonic color while maintaining the overall structure of the blues progression.
Tritone substitution adds harmonic interest and tension-release dynamics to chord progressions, making them sound more sophisticated and unpredictable.
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