Final cadence

Definition

A final cadence is a musical phrase that brings a piece or section of music to a close, often characterized by a strong sense of resolution and completion. Typically, it consists of a dominant to tonic progression, which reinforces the key and gives listeners a feeling of satisfaction. Final cadences play an essential role in shaping the structure of musical works and providing a sense of finality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Final cadences typically involve strong harmonic resolutions that leave the listener with a sense of closure.
2. They can be found at the end of sections, movements, or entire compositions, marking important structural points in music.
3. The most common final cadence is the authentic cadence, which solidifies the key and provides a strong conclusion.
4. Other types of cadences, like plagal or deceptive cadences, may also function as final cadences but offer different emotional qualities.
5. Final cadences can vary in complexity and may include additional embellishments or extensions to create a more elaborate finish.

Review Questions

• How does a final cadence differ from other types of cadences in terms of emotional impact and musical function?
  • A final cadence provides a strong sense of resolution and closure, distinguishing it from other types of cadences that may evoke different emotions. For example, while an authentic cadence offers definitive completion by resolving from the dominant to tonic chords, a half cadence leaves listeners hanging on the dominant, creating tension. Other cadences like plagal cadences also provide a resolution but with a softer impact. Thus, each type serves its unique purpose in shaping musical narratives.
• Evaluate how the use of final cadences can influence the listener's perception of a musical work's structure.
  • Final cadences significantly impact how listeners perceive the overall structure of a musical work by marking crucial points of closure. When composers utilize final cadences effectively, they guide listeners through the musical journey, emphasizing important transitions between sections or movements. This clarity in structure helps reinforce key themes and motifs throughout the piece, making the overall experience more coherent and satisfying for the audience.
• Analyze the role of final cadences within the broader context of music theory and composition practices.
  • Final cadences play an essential role in music theory and composition practices by providing musicians with tools for crafting effective conclusions to their works. They help define formal structures such as phrases, sections, and movements, allowing composers to create intentional contrasts between tension and resolution. Understanding how to use final cadences appropriately enables composers to evoke desired emotional responses from listeners while maintaining clear organizational frameworks within their compositions. Ultimately, final cadences enhance both the artistic expression and structural integrity of musical pieces.

Related terms

Authentic Cadence:

An authentic cadence is a specific type of final cadence that involves moving from the dominant (V) chord to the tonic (I) chord, creating a strong resolution.

Plagal Cadence:

A plagal cadence, often referred to as the 'Amen cadence,' moves from the subdominant (IV) chord to the tonic (I) chord, offering a softer resolution.

Half Cadence: A half cadence ends on the dominant (V) chord, creating an unresolved feeling that leads into further musical material rather than concluding the piece.