What Is the Forbidden Chord on Guitar? Understanding the Tritone Explained
Discover the forbidden chord on guitar—the tritone—its history, sound, and how to play it. Explore the 'diabolus in musica' and its unique dissonance.
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The 'forbidden chord' on a guitar doesn't refer to a specific chord that's universally banned, but is often humorously used to describe the tritone, also known as the 'diabolus in musica' (the devil in music). Historically, this dissonant sound was avoided in medieval church music due to its unsettling tone. For guitarists interested in exploring, the tritone splits the octave exactly in half, and can be played by placing fingers on adjacent frets across two strings.
FAQs & Answers
- What is the forbidden chord in guitar music? The forbidden chord on guitar commonly refers to the tritone, a dissonant interval historically avoided in medieval church music due to its unsettling sound.
- Why is the tritone called diabolus in musica? The tritone is nicknamed 'diabolus in musica' or 'the devil in music' because its dissonant tone was considered unsettling and was avoided in sacred medieval compositions.
- How do you play the tritone on a guitar? The tritone can be played by placing fingers on adjacent frets across two strings, splitting the octave exactly in half, creating its characteristic dissonant sound.