Questions tagged [cadence]
A melodic and/or harmonic configuration at the end of a phrase, section, or piece of music.
95
questions
4
votes
3answers
313 views
How is Db major functioning here? Subdominant Prolongation? Some kind of Dominant?
While improvising for a piece in Eb major, I came across an interesting progression. Eb -> Ab -> Db -> Eb But something that I couldn't figure out was the function of the Db. Here is the ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Soprano melody in PAC
When it comes to part-writing in a V7-I cadence, I understand that the leading tone in an outer voice must resolve to the tonic (^7->^1) and that the chordal 7th of the V7 (^4) should resolve down by ...
1
vote
1answer
91 views
Dorian mode cadences
From this question I read that modal cadences are different from tonic cadences.
I'm trying to learn Dorian mode and I noted that in the answer they offer the suggestion of the second chord, first ...
5
votes
8answers
789 views
Going from ♭VI to I
I have seen and heard a bVI -> I progression in quite a few scores to create an inspiring feeling (for example, from an F major chord to an A major chord) and was wondering how this could be ...
23
votes
9answers
7k views
Why does Bach sometimes end with flat 7ths?
I've been studying the Bach inventions, and I see a common patterns in the first 3 inventions: They tend to include the flat 7ths in the very end. Examples:
C major:
D major:
E♭ major:
From a ...
1
vote
2answers
83 views
Backdoor cadences - what would be the ♭VII chord in A major?
So I'm currently learning about using resolution in guitar chord progressions, and so far I have learned about tension chords which is usually, but not limited to, the fifth chord in the scale that ...
3
votes
2answers
67 views
How do I write a cadence without any context?
I am studying for my online RCM theory exam, and since I have no contact with my piano teacher I’ve been correcting with the answer book. My answers and the answers in the book are very different. I ...
2
votes
1answer
57 views
Have I identified my cadences correctly?
I am having so much trouble with cadence identification. After hours of Youtube video explanations I think that I have this correctly. Have I? How can I make this process easier?
a. Perfect
b. ...
1
vote
0answers
14 views
How is a clausula tertiaria/medians distinguished from a modulation to the relative major?
How is a clausula tertiaria/medians distinguished from a modulation to the relative major?
Clausula tertiaria came up in the answer to one of my earlier questions.
Some of the definitions I have ...
5
votes
3answers
94 views
Roman Numerals and VII#
The following is an excerpt from this Wikipedia article:
[The Lydian cadence] is so-called because it evokes the Lydian mode
based on its final chord as a tonic, and may be construed with the
...
6
votes
2answers
124 views
In a minor key can a cadence on the relative major be considered a type of quasi half cadence?
My question is not: what is the textbook definition of a half cadence?
What I am trying to get at is the perception of an incomplete, sort of antecedent phrase ending.
When playing the following ...
3
votes
4answers
465 views
Diminished seventh cadence, is this an IAC or a PAC?
I have seen a few cadences where the only dominant function chord used cadentially is a diminished seventh, mainly resolving to root position tonic, though I have seen a few resolve to an inverted ...
3
votes
3answers
87 views
Genesis' bVII-V-I cadence
In the verse part of Genesis' "Behind the Lines", the last line of the chord progression goes:
F C Dm Bb G -> C (resolution)
What is that cadence? What is the theory for that bVII - V - I?
I'...
0
votes
3answers
121 views
cadences with triads with two different notes
Can a cadence consist of a triad with only 2 different notes?
Let's say I'm in Fmaj and want to include an imperfect cadence (ii - V):
G - D - G followed by C - E - G. The first triad has only two ...
2
votes
0answers
56 views
Is this an example of Modal interchange? [duplicate]
The section I'm referring to is circled in red.
The piece is in D♭ major. And I think here it's in F mixolydian, as both Cmin7 and F7 are in F mixolydian. Also, this part is the end of a phrase and ...
4
votes
6answers
1k views
How to make a plagal cadence sound convincing as an ending?
I am nearing the end of composing the first movement of my suite. And I plan to end the movement using a plagal cadence. But I know that a plagal cadence can be hard to make sound convincing. I mean ...
0
votes
0answers
90 views
(Conflict) Kostka/Payne Cadence Chart vs. Authentic Cadence in Natural Minor [duplicate]
According to Is this generic cadence chart from Kostka/Payne generally accepted?,
However, the authentic cadence in natural minor, which is v-i, does not meet the definition by Kostka/Payne here. ...
0
votes
0answers
78 views
Variant Cadences
I've gone through many unusual cadences so far - conclusive cadences that are not V-I, V-i, v-i (rare), viio-I, #viio-i, IV-I, or iv-i, and progressive cadences that are not V, v (rare), V-vi, V-VI, ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
♭VII-I Cadence, ♭III-I Cadence: Name?
I've gone through a bunch of ♭VII-I and ♭III-I cadences in rock music. In C major, they are B♭-C and E♭-C.
Is there a specific name for the two cadences? So far, I've been calling them authentic ...
1
vote
1answer
152 views
Is there a standard set of cadences designed for the seven modes?
On Cadences for Modes and Modal Cadence Options, Dom, Richard, and I came up with a group of modal cadences. Specifically (correct order from Ionian to Locrian):
Dom: ii-I, VII-i, II-i, II-I, VII-I, ...
3
votes
2answers
142 views
Why do plagal cadences in minor keys often use a Picardy 3rd?
In major keys, plagal cadences often occur as IV-I - as it is supposed to be.
In minor keys, plagal cadences are originally supposed to be iv-i, but composers would often use a Picardy 3rd, making it ...
-1
votes
1answer
86 views
Ger.6-I cadence - Name?
I was looking at some Romantic era works, and I have found an unusual cadence of:
Is there a name for this cadence? I'm tempted to say it is a variant plagal cadence - A plagal cadence is normally a ...
-2
votes
2answers
725 views
♭II6-I Cadence: Plagal or Authentic?
Chopin's Etude No. 16 in A minor, Op. 25 No. 4, ends with a cadence like this:
B♭/D - A
In Roman numerals, we write as:
♭II6 - I
Is this cadence viewed as Plagal (N6 - I), or Authentic (tt - ...
3
votes
2answers
134 views
Does the II chord in the Phrygian II-i cadence count as tritone substitution?
In Phrygian modal music, the II-i cadence is pretty common. Does the II chord here count as a tritone substitute chord that is substituting for vo?
1
vote
1answer
167 views
Is there a name for this cadence - [Tritone Sub of V] - I
Sometimes I've been going through [Tritone Sub of V] - I cadences. Is there a specific name for this?
5
votes
4answers
455 views
Resolving to minmaj7
Looking for possible resolutions to a imaj7.
Theoretical or not - shoot!
Out-of-the-ordinary resolutions are needed (I already know the theory behind it, using possible modes and all ).
Looking ...
1
vote
3answers
521 views
How can I analyze some parts of this excerpt?
I have two questions about this excerpt.
In measure 1 (don't include the pickup note as a measure), there is an Eb tonic chord in the bass staff. How would the F in the melody line be analyzed as a ...
2
votes
1answer
263 views
Is a v-VI♭ progression in a minor key still a deceptive cadence?
I was just listening to a rock song that is in a minor key, and the phrase ends with a v moving to a VI♭ chord.
Since the dominant chord is taken from the natural minor and doesn't contain the ...
0
votes
1answer
118 views
Can this chord progression be viewed as a cadence?
I was wondering if this ending chord progression to Led Zeppelin's "The Rain Song" could be viewed as a cadence.
"The Rain Song" uses a very interesting guitar tuning (D-G-C-G-C-D). The notes also ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
Is there a name for this cadence? (bVI bVII I) [duplicate]
I hear this chord progression (bVI bVII I) occur a lot in popular music. Is there a name for this progression or cadence? If I heard this at the end of a song or piece, how would I describe it?
My ...
1
vote
3answers
232 views
Can a cadence end with a secondary dominant?
If I ended a 4 measure phrase with a V resolving to a V7/IV chord, would this still be considered a cadence since it concludes the phrase?
When listening to this, it almost feels like an authentic ...
5
votes
3answers
418 views
Different harmonic changes implied by a simple descending scale
This is a question that readers may find confusing. It is a bit confusing to me too, but I'll try to explain and illustrate it as best as I can.
What are the harmonic functions (in terms of Roman-...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
Can we have a perfect cadence in a minor key?
I understand that, at least in the context of using a major scale, a perfect cadence is V-I. That is, if I were playing a piece in C major, I could play a chord similiar to the G major triad followed ...
4
votes
2answers
157 views
What constitutes a Cadence?
I've always considered a cadence to be the last two harmonies or chords in a phrase or line of music. Reading about the Andalusian cadence, it looks like it needs all four chords to qualify. I prefer ...
-1
votes
1answer
162 views
Final cadence appears as Em7 - Am (v7 - i in A minor). Name?
I see an unusual cadence in the end of Debussy's Prelude of Pour le Piano. It is v7 - i in A minor. Is there an actual name for this?
(Chord Progression: Fmaj7 - Abaug7 - Gaug7 - C9 - Em7 - Am)
2
votes
6answers
120 views
Why is this not a modulation?
Bars three and four look to me like a modulation to the subdominant with an imperfect cadence in Eb (especially with the Ab auxiliary note in bar three). The answers, however, mark bars three and four ...
3
votes
1answer
175 views
What types of cadences work well in natural minor?
I am currently interested in writing a piece in natural minor, and it seems like "v - i" cadence does not quite work as well as compared to harmonic and melodic minors, which use "V - i". How can I ...
1
vote
2answers
162 views
When was the Imperfect Authentic Cadence invented?
Inverted IAC (1st example) : Either one, or both chords, are not in the root position.
Root position IAC (2nd example) : Both chords are in root position, but the highest voice of the final chord is ...
5
votes
1answer
122 views
What is a “Slovenian Cadence”?
I recently acquired a large collection of music theory review materials. In it, I came across the term "Slovenian cadence." Does anyone know what this might be?
Unfortunately, the review materials ...
-2
votes
2answers
345 views
What type of cadence is this?
What type of cadence is this at the end of Dvorak's 9th symphony (Dvorak's 9th Symphony, 4th movement, Finale - Allegro con fuoco (Meaning: "Fast and Spirited"))? Is it an imperfect authentic cadence ...
0
votes
2answers
129 views
When was the “Picardy 3rd” invented?
When was the Picardy 3rd, the final tonic borrowed chord, invented?
1
vote
0answers
172 views
Leading-tone IAC?
Why did Beethoven write a leading-tone IAC here? It appears as viio 6/5 - I. Also, why does the leading tone IAC exist?
1
vote
1answer
91 views
Is it okay to end a period with an IAC? [closed]
So I started writing a waltz. I have been mainly focusing on the bass line because I got advice from someone that if I focus on the bass progression, the basic melody will just come to me. And once I ...
9
votes
4answers
796 views
Understanding the concept of a “Cadence”
According to the Wikipedia article on Cadences, they create "a sense of resolution [finality or pause]."
This got me wondering about a more modern and pop context, where simple chord progressions ...
3
votes
1answer
289 views
Is this generic cadence chart from Kostka/Payne generally accepted?
I was perusing my Kostka/Payne book for something when I noticed this chart which I either never paid attention to or forgot :-)
I understand its meaning, but it leads to some interesting ...
4
votes
2answers
246 views
Are these inversions in a cadence correct?
I would greatly appreciate it if someone could help me. Currently, I am learning about Authentic, Half, and Plagal Cadences. And I have to find them in composition, then tell the name. At first it ...
23
votes
6answers
5k views
The function of Gm G♭ B♭ chord progression in “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”
Over the Christmas break I heard this programme on BBC radio:
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
David Gilmour discusses his famous four-note motif B♭ F G E but what wasn't discussed and I wished had ...
1
vote
1answer
155 views
How to write extended perfect authentic cadences
I am currently writing a Berceuse in the style of Chopin and I noticed in a lot of his music and that of other romantic composers in the final perfect authentic cadences they repeat it multiple times ...
3
votes
1answer
130 views
Is the typical use of the N6 Neapolitan chord to lead to a perfect cadence rather than a half cadence?
The basic N6 description is that it leads to the dominant chord, but this doesn't fully explain its use in cadences.
A survey of my harmony texts - Piston, Seigmeister, and Kostka - show N6 going to ...
1
vote
3answers
353 views
What makes some intervals consonant while others dissonant?
Why does an authentic cadence sound pleasing to the ear? What makes an interval "Consonant" or "Dissonant" and why are there only two categories for intervals?
