Cadences (Musical Punctuation)

When you speak, you don’t talk endlessly without stopping. You use commas, periods, and question marks. Music is the same.

A Cadence is a two-chord pattern at the end of a musical phrase that tells the listener “We are done” or “We are pausing.”

19.1 The Perfect Authentic Cadence (The Period)

This is the strongest ending in music. It sounds like the final door slamming shut.

• The Formula: V → I (Dominant to Tonic).
• The Feeling: “The End.” Complete resolution.
• Example (C Major): G Major Chord (V) → C Major Chord (I).
• Note: To be truly “Perfect,” the melody must also end on the root note (C).

19.2 The Plagal Cadence (The “Amen”)

This is a softer, gentler ending. It is famous because it is used at the end of hymns to sing “A-men.”

• The Formula: IV → I (Subdominant to Tonic).
• The Feeling: “It is finished.” Peaceful, holy.
• Example (C Major): F Major Chord (IV) → C Major Chord (I).
• Pop Tip: The Beatles used this constantly (e.g., the end of “Let It Be”).

19.3 The Half Cadence (The Question Mark)

This sounds incomplete, like a sentence that trails off…

• The Formula: Ending on the V (Dominant).
• The Feeling: “And then?” “Wait for it…”
• Example: You play C (I) → F (IV) → G (V)… and then you stop. The listener’s brain screams for you to resolve back to C.

19.4 The Deceptive Cadence (The Plot Twist)

You set up the audience to expect a Perfect Cadence, but you trick them.

• The Formula: V → vi (Dominant to Minor Submediant).
• The Feeling: “Surprise!” or “Not yet.”
• Example: G Major (V) → A Minor (vi). Instead of going home to happy C, you land on sad A Minor.