Spooky Sounds: Unraveling the Devil's Interval in Music

The Devil's interval, also known as the Tritone, is a unique interval in music - one with a rich history and a reputation for creating tension and unease. In this quick overview, we will unravel the characteristics of the Devil's Interval, why it was (possibly) banned in Renaissance church music, and identify some well known pieces which feature this devilish sound.

The Devil's Interval is found by playing two notes that are three whole tones (or six semi-tones) apart, hence the alternative name "tri-tone". In your Grade 5 music theory exam, you will likely label this interval as an augmented 4th (e.g. C and F#), or a Diminished 5th (e.g. C and Gb).

According to the intriguing myths and legends of music theory, the Tritone was considered so dissonant and unsettling that it was once thought to have the power to conjure the devil himself. This mysterious belief led to a fascinating tale of its prohibition in Renaissance church music. Although historical evidence is scarce, the story goes that church authorities, fearing the unsettling and "evil" qualities attributed to this interval, decided to ban it from religious compositions.

While the alleged ban on the Tritone in church music has never been conclusively proven, the superstitions surrounding this interval have contributed to its mystique. Composers and musicians throughout history have been drawn to the Tritone's dissonant and suspenseful qualities, recognizing its potential to evoke a powerful sense of drama and tension in their works. Whether consciously or subconsciously, the Tritone's shadowy reputation has played a role in shaping the atmosphere of countless musical pieces, making it an enduring symbol of musical intrigue and innovation.

Aside from its associations with the Devil, one of the main reasons that the interval of a Tritone is naturally unsettling is down to dissonance. As one of the most dissonant sounds in western music, the notes sound unstable, tense and unpleasant to the human ear. As professor of Music Psychology, John Sloboda notes:

"When we hear something dissonant, it gives you a little bit of an emotional frisson, because it's strange and unexpected. The emotional result of hearing a tritone, might not be too different from the one experienced at the bottom of a staircase that failed to mention it’s missing its last step."

The Tritone is more common than you think in music today, and relatively easy to recognise. If you know the theme song from "The Simpsons", the opening two notes featured beneath the words "The" "Simp-" are a tritone. Take a listen to the examples below and see if you can hear the infamous interval:

1. "The Simpsons" - Main Title Theme (Danny Elfman)