6.2 Cadence Types and Functions
5 min read•july 29, 2024
Cadences are the musical punctuation marks that shape a composition's structure and emotional journey. They come in four main types: authentic, plagal, half, and deceptive. Each type creates a unique sense of resolution or tension, guiding the listener through the musical narrative.
Understanding cadences is crucial for crafting compelling chord progressions. By strategically placing different cadence types, composers can build tension, create surprise, and provide satisfying resolutions. This skillful manipulation of musical expectations is key to engaging listeners and conveying the intended emotional impact of a piece.
Cadence Types
Four Main Cadence Types
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- Authentic cadences
- Move from the (V) to the (I) chord
- Provide a strong sense of resolution
- Perfect authentic cadences (PAC) have both chords in root position with the tonic in the soprano voice
- Imperfect authentic cadences (IAC) have the dominant in root position but the tonic in an inverted position or with a non-tonic note in the soprano voice
- Plagal cadences ("Amen" cadence)
- Move from the (IV) to the tonic (I) chord
- Provide a sense of resolution, though less strong than authentic cadences
- Often used in religious or solemn contexts (hymns, choral music)
- Half cadences
- End on the dominant (V) chord
- Create a sense of temporary pause or incompleteness
- Often used in the middle of a phrase or as a transition (baroque music, sonata form)
- Deceptive cadences (interrupted cadences)
- Move from the dominant (V) to a chord other than the tonic, often the (vi)
- Create a sense of surprise or unfulfilled expectation
- Can be used to extend a musical idea by delaying the expected resolution (romantic music, jazz)
Role of Cadences in Musical Phrases
- Specific chord progressions that create a sense of resolution or temporary pause at the end of a musical phrase
- Help define the endings of musical phrases and sections
- Provide a sense of structure and punctuation in a composition
- Placement and type of cadence can indicate the hierarchical relationship between phrases
- Stronger cadences (PAC) used for more definitive endings
- Weaker cadences (IAC, half) used for intermediate points
Cadence Function in Phrases
Defining Phrase Structures
- Cadences help define the endings of musical phrases and sections
- Provide a sense of structure and punctuation in a composition
- Placement and type of cadence can indicate the hierarchical relationship between phrases
- Stronger cadences (PAC) used for more definitive endings
- Weaker cadences (IAC, half) used for intermediate points
- Absence of a cadence or use of a can create a sense of continuity or forward motion
- Propels the music into the next phrase or section
- Creates a sense of ongoing development or unresolved tension
Creating Musical Resolutions
- Cadences contribute to the overall sense of tension and release in a piece
- Resolution provided by a cadence serves as a point of arrival or relaxation
- Perfect authentic cadences provide a strong, definitive sense of resolution
- Often used at the end of a section or the entire piece
- Evoke a sense of satisfaction, relief, or finality for the listener
- Imperfect authentic cadences provide a less final sense of resolution
- Allow for the continuation of the musical idea
- Create a sense of partial resolution while maintaining forward momentum
- Plagal cadences offer a different quality of resolution compared to authentic cadences
- Less strong but still provide a sense of ending or repose
- Often associated with religious or solemn contexts (hymns, choral music)
Cadence Use in Composition
Choosing Cadences for Desired Effects
- When composing, consider the desired sense of finality or resolution at the end of each phrase
- Use perfect authentic cadences for strong, definitive endings (end of a section or entire piece)
- Use imperfect authentic cadences for a sense of resolution that is less final (continuation of musical idea)
- Employ half cadences to create a sense of temporary pause or to signal a transition (new section or key area)
- Incorporate plagal cadences for a sense of resolution that is less strong than authentic cadences (religious or solemn contexts)
- Use deceptive cadences to create surprise, variety, or to extend a musical idea (delaying expected resolution)
Incorporating Cadences in Musical Phrases
- Cadences should be used strategically to shape the overall structure and emotional arc of a composition
- Consider the hierarchy of phrases and sections when choosing cadence types
- More important structural points warrant stronger cadences (PAC)
- Intermediate phrases or transitions can use weaker cadences (IAC, half)
- Use cadences to punctuate the end of musical ideas and provide a sense of breathing or pacing in the music
- Vary the use of cadence types to create interest, surprise, and maintain listener engagement
- Deceptive cadences can be particularly effective in subverting expectations
- Delayed resolutions can heighten tension and anticipation
Cadences and Tension vs Release
Building and Releasing Tension
- Cadences play a crucial role in shaping the emotional trajectory of a piece
- Buildup of tension before a cadence heightens the anticipation for the upcoming resolution
- Use of dissonance, rhythmic complexity, or dynamic intensity
- Creates a sense of instability or unresolved energy
- Resolution provided by a cadence, particularly a PAC, can evoke a sense of satisfaction, relief, or finality
- Release of accumulated tension
- Arrival at a point of stability or repose
- Deceptive cadences can prolong the sense of tension by denying the expected resolution
- Creates a sense of surprise or anticipation
- Extends the musical idea and maintains listener engagement
Shaping Emotional Response
- Strategic use of different types of cadences throughout a composition can create a compelling narrative arc
- Manipulates the listener's expectations and sense of resolution
- Guides the listener's emotional response and engagement with the music
- Buildup and release of tension through cadences contribute to the overall expressive impact of a piece
- Can evoke feelings of anticipation, suspense, relief, or fulfillment
- Helps convey the intended emotional character or mood of the music
- Effective use of cadences demonstrates a composer's skill in crafting a coherent and engaging musical journey for the listener
Key Terms to Review (17)
Authentic Cadence: An authentic cadence is a type of musical resolution that occurs when a dominant chord (V) resolves to the tonic chord (I), providing a strong sense of closure and finality in a musical passage. This cadence is a fundamental building block in Western harmony, helping to establish the tonal center and guiding the listener's ear through a piece of music. Authentic cadences are often found at the end of phrases or sections, serving to reinforce the overall structure of the composition.
Baroque Cadence: A Baroque cadence refers to the specific types of musical progressions that signal the end of a phrase in Baroque music, typically characterized by a strong resolution and the use of distinct harmonic patterns. These cadences serve to create a sense of closure, guiding the listener's ear and enhancing the emotional impact of the music. They often include authentic cadences, half cadences, and plagal cadences, each playing a crucial role in shaping the musical narrative during this vibrant period.
Closure: Closure refers to the sense of resolution or completeness that a musical phrase conveys at its end, typically established through cadences. It serves as a critical point in music, signaling the end of a musical thought or section and providing a moment of rest for the listener. This sense of closure can be achieved through various types of cadences, which play a vital role in shaping the overall structure and emotional journey of a piece.
Deceptive Cadence: A deceptive cadence is a harmonic progression that creates an expectation for resolution but instead leads to an unexpected chord, usually moving from the dominant chord (V) to the submediant (vi). This surprising shift serves to prolong tension and can add emotional depth to a piece of music, making it an important concept in harmonic analysis, cadence types, common chord progressions, and the use of secondary dominants.
Dominant: The dominant is the fifth scale degree in a diatonic scale and plays a critical role in establishing tonal center and creating tension that resolves to the tonic. This chord, typically built on the fifth scale degree, is essential in creating strong harmonic progressions, often leading to cadences that signal the end of a musical phrase.
Half Cadence: A half cadence is a musical phrase that ends on the dominant chord (V) and creates a sense of pause or incomplete resolution. This type of cadence typically follows a progression that leads up to the V chord, leaving the listener expecting further movement, often towards the tonic (I). In harmonic analysis, half cadences are significant as they indicate points of tension and anticipation within a piece, shaping the overall structure and flow of the music.
Imperfect Authentic Cadence: An imperfect authentic cadence is a type of musical resolution that typically involves the movement from the dominant chord (V) to the tonic chord (I), but does not fulfill the criteria for a perfect authentic cadence. It is characterized by either the presence of a chord inversion or the tonic note not being in the highest voice, creating a less conclusive ending than its perfect counterpart.
Iv-i: The iv-i progression is a harmonic movement commonly used in music, particularly in minor keys, where the subdominant chord (iv) resolves to the tonic chord (i). This progression creates a sense of closure and resolution, providing a satisfying end to musical phrases. It emphasizes the strong relationship between the subdominant and tonic chords, highlighting the emotional depth that minor tonalities can evoke.
Perfect Authentic Cadence: A perfect authentic cadence is a strong resolution that occurs when a dominant chord (V) resolves to the tonic chord (I) in root position, with the tonic note in the highest voice. This type of cadence creates a sense of finality and closure, often used at the end of musical phrases or sections. Understanding this cadence is crucial for analyzing harmonic progressions, recognizing its function within the broader context of music, and applying it in four-part writing to create effective resolutions.
Period: A period is a musical structure that consists of two or more phrases, typically with a sense of completion at the end. This structure often involves a clear antecedent-consequent relationship, where the first phrase (antecedent) poses a musical idea and the second phrase (consequent) responds or resolves that idea. Understanding periods is essential for grasping how melodies are constructed and how cadences function within them, as well as for effectively writing in four-part harmony.
Phrase Ending: A phrase ending refers to the conclusion of a musical phrase, which is a complete musical thought often defined by a cadence. This ending creates a sense of closure or pause and can vary in strength depending on the type of cadence used. Understanding phrase endings helps in analyzing how music conveys emotion and structure, as they play a critical role in determining how ideas are presented and resolved within a composition.
Plagal Cadence: A plagal cadence is a harmonic progression that moves from the subdominant chord (IV) to the tonic chord (I), often creating a feeling of resolution or completion. Commonly referred to as the 'Amen cadence' due to its frequent use in hymns and religious music, it serves to establish a sense of finality while also differing from the stronger perfect cadence (V-I). This type of cadence plays an essential role in harmonic analysis, cadence types, common chord progressions, harmonic progression rules, four-part writing principles, and the understanding of phrases and periods.
Romantic Cadence: A romantic cadence is a type of musical resolution that evokes strong emotions and a sense of closure, commonly found in the Romantic era of music. This cadence often includes unexpected harmonic progressions and rich chromaticism, enhancing the emotional depth of the music. It is characterized by its use of cadential formulas that create tension and release, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
Subdominant: The subdominant is the fourth degree of the diatonic scale, typically represented by the IV chord, and plays a crucial role in harmonic progression and creating musical tension. It functions as a bridge between the tonic and dominant chords, contributing to a sense of movement and resolution within a piece of music.
Submediant: The submediant is the sixth scale degree of a diatonic scale, often represented as 'vi' in Roman numeral analysis. It plays a significant role in harmony, typically serving as a tonic alternative or a pivot point in chord progressions. This degree is particularly important when analyzing cadences, as it can create unexpected resolutions and enrich harmonic movement.
Tension Release: Tension release is a fundamental concept in music that refers to the resolution of musical tension, often achieved through specific harmonic progressions. In the context of cadence types and functions, tension release plays a crucial role in establishing closure or continuation within a piece of music, guiding the listener’s emotional response. This release is often felt at the end of phrases or sections, allowing composers to create a satisfying sense of completion or to set up anticipation for what comes next.
Tonic: The tonic is the first and most important note of a scale, serving as the home base or point of resolution for melodies and harmonies. It establishes the key of a piece, providing a sense of stability and grounding for both listeners and performers.