Cadences are musical punctuation marks, creating a sense of resolution or conclusion in Western tonal music. They come in various types, each serving a unique purpose in shaping the structure and harmony of a piece.

Understanding cadences is crucial for grasping musical form and harmonic progression. From authentic to deceptive, these chord progressions help establish tonality, provide resolution, and signal phrase endings, making them essential tools for composers and performers alike.

Types of cadences

• Cadences are musical phrases or progressions that create a sense of resolution or conclusion
• They are essential elements in Western tonal music and play a crucial role in defining the structure and harmony of a piece

Authentic cadences

• Authentic cadences move from the dominant (V) chord to the tonic (I) chord
• Perfect authentic cadences (PAC) have both chords in root position and the tonic in the soprano voice
• Imperfect authentic cadences (IAC) have the dominant chord in root position and the tonic chord in an inverted position or with a non-tonic note in the soprano voice
• Examples: V-I (PAC), V-I6 (IAC)

Plagal cadences

• Plagal cadences, also known as "Amen cadences," move from the subdominant (IV) chord to the tonic (I) chord
• They create a sense of resolution, but with a less conclusive effect compared to authentic cadences
• Example: IV-I

Deceptive cadences

• Deceptive cadences, also called interrupted or false cadences, occur when the dominant (V) chord resolves to a chord other than the tonic, often the submediant (vi)
• They create a sense of surprise or prolongation, delaying the expected resolution
• Examples: V-vi, V-IV

Half cadences

• Half cadences occur when a phrase ends on the dominant (V) chord, creating a sense of incompleteness or anticipation
• They are often used to divide a musical phrase or section into two parts
• Example: I-V or ii-V

Functions of cadences

• Cadences serve multiple purposes in music, helping to establish the tonal center, provide resolution, and define the structure of a piece

Establishing tonality

• Cadences help establish the key or tonal center of a piece by emphasizing the tonic chord
• Authentic cadences, particularly perfect authentic cadences, are the most effective in confirming the key

Providing resolution

• Cadences create a sense of resolution or repose at the end of musical phrases or sections
• They satisfy the listener's expectation for a conclusive ending or a temporary resting point

Signaling phrase endings

• Cadences mark the end of musical phrases, helping to define the structure and form of a piece
• They provide cues for performers and listeners to understand the musical architecture

Cadences in musical forms

• Cadences play a crucial role in defining the structure of various musical forms, such as binary, ternary, sonata, and rondo forms

Cadences in binary form

• Binary form consists of two sections, often labeled A and B
• The A section typically ends with an authentic cadence in the tonic key or a closely related key (e.g., dominant or relative major/minor)
• The B section usually concludes with an authentic cadence in the tonic key

Cadences in ternary form

• Ternary form has three sections: A, B, and A (or A')
• The A section often ends with an authentic cadence in the tonic key
• The B section may end with a cadence in a related key or a half cadence, creating a sense of contrast
• The final A section concludes with an authentic cadence in the tonic key

Cadences in sonata form

• Sonata form consists of three main sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation
• The exposition features two theme groups, each ending with a cadence (often a PAC) in the tonic key and a secondary key (e.g., dominant or relative major/minor)
• The development section explores and modulates through various keys, often ending with a half cadence or a dominant prolongation
• The recapitulation restates the themes from the exposition, with both theme groups now concluding in the tonic key

Cadences in rondo form

• Rondo form alternates between a recurring main theme (A) and contrasting episodes (B, C, etc.)
• The main theme typically ends with an authentic cadence in the tonic key
• The episodes may end with cadences in related keys or with half cadences, leading back to the main theme

Cadences vs non-cadential progressions

• While cadences provide a sense of resolution or conclusion, not all chord progressions function as cadences

Identifying cadences

• Cadences are identified by their specific chord progressions and the sense of resolution they create
• The most common cadences are authentic (V-I), plagal (IV-I), deceptive (V-vi), and half (I-V or ii-V)

Common non-cadential progressions

• Non-cadential progressions are chord sequences that do not create a strong sense of resolution or finality
• Examples include progressions like I-ii-V, I-vi-IV, and ii-V-I (when not at the end of a phrase)
• These progressions help to create harmonic movement and interest within a piece without necessarily signaling a phrase ending

Writing effective cadences

• When composing or harmonizing melodies, it is essential to use cadences effectively to create a sense of structure and resolution

Voice leading in cadences

• Proper voice leading ensures smooth and musical transitions between chords in a cadence
• This involves considering the movement of individual voices (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and how they connect from one chord to the next

Avoiding parallel fifths and octaves

• Parallel fifths and octaves should generally be avoided in cadences (and in voice leading in general) as they can create an undesirable effect
• To prevent parallel fifths and octaves, ensure that voices move in contrary or oblique motion when possible

Doubling chord tones

• When writing cadences in four-part harmony, it is important to consider which chord tones should be doubled
• In general, doubling the root of the chord is the safest option, followed by the fifth and then the third
• Avoid doubling leading tones or seventh scale degrees, as they can create voice leading issues

Analyzing cadences

• Analyzing cadences in musical scores is an essential skill for understanding the structure and harmony of a piece

Labeling cadences in scores

• When analyzing a score, label each cadence with its specific type (e.g., PAC, IAC, plagal, deceptive, half)
• This helps to identify the key structural points in the music and understand how the composer creates a sense of resolution or tension

Determining keys from cadences

• Cadences can help determine the overall key of a piece or the key of a specific section
• Authentic cadences, especially PACs, are the most definitive in establishing the tonic key

Cadences as structural markers

• Cadences serve as important structural markers in music, delineating phrases, sections, and overall form
• By identifying cadences, one can better understand the architecture of a piece and how its various parts relate to one another

Historical use of cadences

• The use and treatment of cadences have evolved throughout different musical eras, reflecting changes in compositional style and harmonic language

Cadences in Renaissance music

• In Renaissance polyphony, cadences were primarily used to provide a sense of resolution at the end of phrases or sections
• The most common cadences were the authentic (V-I) and plagal (IV-I) cadences, often featuring suspensions and prepared dissonances

Cadences in Baroque music

• Baroque composers expanded the use of cadences to include more variety and expressive possibilities
• Deceptive cadences and half cadences became more prevalent, adding elements of surprise and tension to the music
• Composers like J.S. Bach and Handel used cadences to delineate the structure of their compositions, particularly in genres like fugues and dance suites

Cadences in Classical music

• In the Classical era, cadences played a crucial role in defining the clarity and balance of musical form
• Composers like Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven used cadences to articulate the structure of phrases, themes, and sections in their compositions
• The use of half cadences and deceptive cadences helped to create a sense of drama and expectation, propelling the music forward

Cadences in Romantic music

• Romantic composers began to challenge and expand the traditional use of cadences, often blurring the boundaries between phrases and sections
• Composers like Chopin, Brahms, and Wagner used more chromaticism and extended harmonies in their cadences, creating a sense of ambiguity and emotional intensity
• The use of evaded or delayed cadences became more common, prolonging the sense of tension and resolution in the music