Diminished 5ths
Definition
Diminished fifths are intervals that consist of six half steps. They are one half step smaller than perfect fifths.
Analogy
Imagine a perfectly balanced seesaw, but then someone removes one of the seats. The seesaw becomes unsteady and unstable, just like diminished 5ths create tension and instability in music.
Related terms
Tritone: A tritone is an interval consisting of three whole steps. It is also known as an augmented 4th or diminished 5th.
Perfect 5th: A perfect 5th is an interval consisting of seven half steps. It has a strong and stable sound.
Augmented Triad: An augmented triad consists of two major thirds stacked on top of each other, creating a unique and dissonant sound.
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