Exploring Cadences in Music: The Key to Musical Resolution

In music, cadences serve as the punctuation marks that provide a sense of closure, pause, or continuation within a piece. They are the points where tension is released, harmony is resolved, and the music finds either rest or a new direction. Whether subtle or dramatic, cadences play a critical role in shaping the structure and emotional flow of music.

In this blog, we’ll delve into what cadences are, their types, and how they contribute to the overall feel and direction of a piece of music.

What is a Cadence?

A cadence is a sequence of chords that concludes a musical phrase, section, or piece. It’s a harmonic device that indicates the end of a musical thought, much like how punctuation marks (periods, commas, exclamations) do in writing. Cadences signal resolution, continuation, or suspension in music, and they play a vital role in creating a sense of balance and coherence.

Types of Cadences

There are several types of cadences, each with its own distinct function and emotional impact. The four most common types of cadences in Western classical music are:

1. Perfect (Authentic) Cadence

A Perfect Cadence is the strongest and most conclusive type of cadence. It typically involves the progression from the dominant (V) chord to the tonic (I) chord, often found at the end of a section or piece. This cadence provides a sense of full resolution and finality.

• Chord Progression: V → I (Dominant to Tonic)
• Effect: It sounds complete and satisfying, often signaling the end of a piece or movement.
• Example: The ending of many classical symphonies or sonatas often employs a perfect cadence.

Variation: A Perfect Authentic Cadence occurs when both the V and I chords are in root position, and the tonic chord has the root note in the highest voice.

2. Imperfect (Half) Cadence

An Imperfect Cadence, also known as a Half Cadence, ends on the dominant (V) chord, creating a feeling of unfinished business. It leaves the listener with a sense of anticipation or suspension, as the progression doesn’t resolve to the tonic.

• Chord Progression: Any chord → V (Ending on Dominant)
• Effect: It sounds incomplete and unresolved, often leaving the listener expecting more.
• Example: Often used in the middle of phrases, especially in the Classical period, to create tension and prepare for a continuation.

3. Plagal Cadence

A Plagal Cadence is often referred to as the “Amen” cadence because of its frequent use at the end of hymns. It moves from the subdominant (IV) chord to the tonic (I), providing a softer resolution compared to the perfect cadence.

• Chord Progression: IV → I (Subdominant to Tonic)
• Effect: It has a calming, peaceful quality and feels less final than the perfect cadence.
• Example: The “Amen” at the end of hymns in church music is a classic use of the plagal cadence.

4. Deceptive Cadence

A Deceptive Cadence surprises the listener by moving from the dominant (V) to a chord other than the tonic, often the submediant (vi). This unexpected progression creates a sense of suspense or unpredictability.

• Chord Progression: V → vi (Dominant to Submediant)
• Effect: It avoids resolution to the tonic, tricking the listener and often leading into a new section of music.
• Example: Often used by composers to prolong a musical passage or to avoid a conventional ending.

Other Cadence Variations

While the four cadences mentioned above are the most common, other variations also play important roles in different styles and contexts:

Phrygian Cadence

The Phrygian Cadence is a specific type of half cadence that occurs in minor keys. It involves the progression iv6 (the first inversion of the minor subdominant chord) to V, giving it a distinctive, ancient-sounding quality.

• Chord Progression: iv6 → V (In a minor key)
• Effect: Creates a dramatic and somewhat exotic feeling, often used in Baroque music.
• Example: Frequently found in the music of J.S. Bach and other Baroque composers.

Interrupted Cadence

An Interrupted Cadence is another name for the deceptive cadence, where the expected resolution (V → I) is interrupted by a different chord, creating surprise and prolonging the tension.

Evaded Cadence

In an Evaded Cadence, the expected final chord is sidestepped or delayed by another chord, keeping the listener in suspense. This technique is often used in longer compositions to delay the sense of finality.

How Cadences Shape Music

1. Structural Markers: Cadences are used as structural markers in a piece, signaling the end of phrases, sections, or entire compositions. The use of cadences helps create a sense of form, with clear beginnings, pauses, and conclusions.
2. Emotional Impact: Different cadences evoke different emotions. A perfect cadence gives a sense of closure and satisfaction, while an imperfect cadence can create tension and anticipation. By choosing cadences strategically, composers can control the emotional flow of their music.
3. Creating Tension and Release: Music is often about building tension and releasing it, and cadences are a primary tool for achieving this. A piece might build up to a dramatic climax, only to resolve with a satisfying cadence, or it might tease the listener with an unresolved cadence to keep the tension alive.
4. Genre and Style: The choice of cadence can also reflect the style or genre of music. For example, the plagal cadence is heavily associated with sacred music, while deceptive cadences are common in Romantic music to add drama and surprise.

Examples of Cadences in Music

• Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5: The final movement uses strong perfect cadences to provide resolution and closure after the famous dramatic opening.
• Mozart’s Piano Sonatas: Often feature both perfect and imperfect cadences to articulate the formal structure of sonata-allegro form, marking the end of phrases and sections.
• Hymn Music: Plagal cadences are famously used at the end of hymns, particularly in the word “Amen.”
• Romantic Era: In works by composers like Chopin and Schumann, deceptive cadences are frequently employed to prolong tension and create unexpected harmonic shifts.

Conclusion

Cadences are essential in music for providing closure, tension, and direction. Whether it’s the finality of a perfect cadence, the suspense of an imperfect cadence, or the surprise of a deceptive cadence, these harmonic tools shape how music is perceived and felt. Understanding cadences not only deepens our appreciation of music but also enhances the way we perform and interpret it. So, next time you listen to a piece, pay attention to those moments of resolution—they’re the cadences working their magic.