Harmony
Cadence
A cadence is the chord move that ends a musical phrase and punctuates it: conclusive like V-I, open like a stop on V, or surprising like V-vi.
What is a cadence in music?
A cadence is the punctuation of harmony. At the end of each phrase, two chords are enough to tell the listener: full stop, comma or question mark. It happens on the last chords of a chord progression, usually at the end of a four or eight bar phrase.
Every cadence can be explained with three functions: the tonic (rest), the subdominant (moving away) and the dominant (tension).
What are the 4 main types of cadence?
| Cadence | Numerals | In C major | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authentic (perfect) | V-I | G7 C | Full stop |
| Plagal | IV-I | F C | Amen, soft ending |
| Half | ii-V, IV-V | Dm G | Comma, suspense |
| Deceptive (interrupted) | V-vi | G7 Am | Surprise, keeps going |
The authentic cadence is the strongest: the leading tone (B) rises to C and the bass jumps from the fifth to the tonic. When both chords are in root position and the melody ends on the tonic, it is a perfect authentic cadence; otherwise it is imperfect and sounds less final. The plagal cadence comes from the subdominant and sounds calmer.
How to play cadences on guitar
Use G major, the friendliest key for open chords:
- Authentic: D7 (xx0212) then G (320003). The bass moves from open D to G at the 3rd fret of the 6th string, and the high G at the 3rd fret of the 1st string puts the tonic on top: the most final version.
- Plagal: C (x32010) then G (320003).
- Half: G Em C D, and stop on D. Your ear asks for more.
- Deceptive: D7 then Em (022000). You expected G and got its relative minor.
Play each cadence twice, then ask a friend to play one at random: naming them by ear is the best way to make them stick.
Jazz and minor-key cadences
In jazz, the authentic cadence becomes the ii-V-I: Am7 D7 Gmaj7 in G, Dm7 G7 Cmaj7 in C. In minor keys players use Bm7♭5 E7 Am (iiø-V7-i in A minor), with E7 taken from harmonic minor.
In songs, a verse that ends on V (half cadence) sets up a chorus that starts on I. Bridges often end with a deceptive cadence so the music keeps moving. The library of chord progressions by style shows these phrase endings in Roman numerals, which makes it easy to spot where each cadence lands.
Key takeaways
- A cadence punctuates the end of a phrase with two chords.
- Authentic V-I (full stop), plagal IV-I (amen), half cadence on V (comma), deceptive V-vi (surprise).
- In G major: D7 G, C G, then stop on D, D7 Em.
- In jazz, the authentic cadence becomes ii-V-I.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common cadence?
The authentic V-I cadence in all its forms (G C, G7 C, Dm7 G7 Cmaj7). It ends the vast majority of pieces, from classical to rock. The plagal IV-I is also very common in gospel, folk and rock.
What is the difference between a perfect and an imperfect authentic cadence?
In a perfect authentic cadence, V and I are in root position (bass on G then C) and the melody ends on the tonic. If a chord is inverted, for example G/B to C, or the melody ends on E, it is imperfect and sounds less final.
Is a cadence the same as a chord progression?
No. The progression is the whole sequence of chords; the cadence is only the end of a phrase, the last two or three chords. An eight-bar progression often has a half cadence in the middle and an authentic cadence at the end.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
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