
My children, listen well. Walking in the hills, I heard a wondrous sound proceeding from a cloud. There I saw a black servant playing a viola, and his recital was superior to all the King’s musicians. I tell you, that was the Devil himself.
The creation is perfect, harmonious, divine. When we sing in praise of God, we recreate the harmony of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth—life as before the Fall. But Satan inserts himself into the gap between one note and the next. Beware the tritone—it is the Devil’s music.
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Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here

I wonder why the Devil is black and the angels white.
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A very good question
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Dear Neil,
Sometimes there’s a think line between the Devil’s music and heaven’s chorus. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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Pieces that suddenly change from major to minor often sound devilish to me.
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The tritone is known as belonging to the devil
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Light and darkness more than white and black.
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I’m not sure what that means
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If white for Heaven and black for Hell isn’t comfortable for some people, Biblical imagery is fairly clear that light represents goodness and God and darkness represents evil and the Devil. Not sure why that’s hard to grasp.
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OK. Thanks
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Neil, I think once you hear the tritone it is already too late. Anyone who lives to tell the tale is lying. Intriguing story.
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Thanks so much, LIsa. It is based on medieval beliefs about music
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You’re welcome.
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The devil always sneaks into the spaces in between. Great story, Neil.
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Thanks so much. Will
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How many forms of music have been labeled as such?
From the swinging of Elvis’s hips, to Ozzy’s bat feast, to Lil Nas X , “Call Me By Your Name”. The devils music I tell you!
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Not to mention the cultures that have banned music entirely
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I can not even imagine…
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well, it’s all about perspective. 🙂
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Thanks for reading
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I think there is always a hint of the truth in superstitions! Good read Neil 🙌
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Thanks so much
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Amen to that, brother!
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Thanks so much, Nancy
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Nicely done Neil. A thought provoking piece.
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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Since I had to look up tritone- you know I had to read this at least twice. I still think nuance has evaded me though.
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The tritone is known as the devil’s chord
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I referenced Rock & Roll being considered “Devil’s music” in my story, but I didn’t know there was a reason behind it. That’s interesting.
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Thanks for reading
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