In Western musical theory, a cadence is the end of a phrase in which the melody or harmony creates a sense of full or partial resolution, especially in music of the 16th century onwards. A cadence can be a rhythmic or melodic articulation, a harmonic change, or all of these. There are different types of cadences, including:
-
Perfect (or Authentic) Cadence: This is the strongest type of cadence, and it is a progression from chord V to chord I. For example, in C major, the progression would be from a G chord to a C chord.
-
Plagal Cadence: This is a progression from chord IV to chord I. In C major, this would be an F chord followed by a C chord.
-
Imperfect (or Half) Cadence: This is a progression that ends on chord V and can start on either chord I, II, or IV. In C major, the progression could move from chord II (Dm) to chord V (G).
-
Interrupted (or Deceptive) Cadence: This is a progression from chord V to chord VI. The listener thinks that the music is going to return to chord I, but instead, they are taken to the "surprising" sound of chord VI.
Cadences are marked on sheet music with a horizontal line between the two chords. They are important in composing as they help to define the end of musical phrases and create a sense of finality for the listener. Cadences can also help build tension and release throughout a song, making for a more dynamically interesting creation.
