What Are Cadences in Music?

Cadences are chords used in music as punctuation marks, showing the progression of a particular movement or piece. They are particularly used to show the end of a piece of music, or to show the end of part within a piece of music to take it on to the next part. Cadences are the commas, semi-colons and full stops of Western music both in theory and in practice.



Most standard, well used cadences have been classified, have been used for centuries in western music and are just as valid in modern music as they were when they were first developed.



A cadence is a progression of chords or perhaps a melodic progression used to give some type of finality to a phrase or section of music, rhythm and harmony being important to ensure a true, �punctuational�, cadence. The chords only act as a cadence should these criteria be met.



It�s actually easier than it sounds on paper. The last three or four chords or notes of most National Anthems, for instance, tell you that it has finished, even if it�s one you don�t recognise. Cadences of both melodic and chordal varieties are used to give the finality to these anthems worldwide, giving them suitably solemn endings.



Earlier classical music relied almost entirely on traditional cadences, both during and at the end of works, many used subtly within the music as well. Later 19th and 20th Century composers often broke with tradition though, and often created their own cadences to complement their own music. Many retained both well known and little known cadences or progressions with which to end parts or all of their works.



Cadences are usually classified into four types and are normally designated in Roman numerals referring to triads in any key. The authentic cadence has two types as well.



The authentic cadence (V to I) comes in two forms. The �perfect authentic cadence� occurs where the notes are in root position, so the bottom of the chords are in the bass whilst the highest notes are in the highest register. It doesn�t matter whether it�s a choir, a piano or an orchestra, the same rules apply.



The second authentic cadence is the imperfect authentic cadence where the �parts� or notes are inverted so that the same notes are being played but in different registers from the �perfect� cadence.



The �imperfect� or half cadence ending in V is one often used in the middle of pieces and usually consists of V being preceded by ii, IV or I, although any other chord can be used, the Phrygian cadence being an example used in minor keys.



Plagal cadences are well known to Christian churchgoers, even if they do not know it. It is the IV to I which sounds like �Amen� at the end of hymns, anthems and psalms. It was also for this reason used in many religious musical works.



The �interrupted� or deceptive cadence from V to vi or VI, indeed to anything else is considered a weak cadence due to its inability to finalise a phrase or section, however it is used extensively to change �tempo�, key or instrumentation in music of all types and genres.



If you listen to the end of a piece of music you will probably hear a cadence. It is interesting to try to spot them in the body of the music too.