Music Cadences Bring Things to a Close

The function of music cadences is simple. These progressions (harmonic or melodic) can end a phrase, a larger section (including a movement of a work), or an entire composition.

Different types of cadences include the following:

• perfect (also known as an authentic or full close) cadence;

• imperfect (also known as half, half close or open) cadence;

• plagal cadence;

• interrupted (also known as deceptive) cadence.

The chord sequence of these cadences is as such:

• the perfect cadence progresses from V to I (the dominant to the tonic);

• the imperfect cadence progresses from I (or another chord) to V (the tonic to the dominant);

• the plagal cadence progresses from IV to I (the subdominant to the tonic);

• the interrupted cadence progresses from V to VI (the dominant to the submediant.

To see these cadences written out and ‘in action’, get the action packed composer/pianist guide called Ready, Set, Compose!

Perfect Cadence in C Major

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