Cadence is a musical term referring to a sequence of chords — typically two — that occurs at the end of a musical phrase or section, creating a sense of conclusion, pause, or continuation. Much like punctuation in language, cadences help organize musical thought, signaling when a phrase is ending, when a thought is complete, or when more is to come. Cadences are a fundamental part of Western tonal music and are essential for shaping form, expectation, and emotional expression.

Function and Purpose

In tonal music, cadences serve both structural and expressive roles. Structurally, they mark the boundaries between musical phrases, sections, and complete works. Expressively, they influence how we perceive tension and resolution. Depending on the harmonic choices, a cadence can create closure, ambiguity, surprise, or anticipation.

Cadences are typically formed by the final two chords of a phrase and are classified based on the relationship between those chords, especially the motion between dominant (V) and tonic (I) or other functional chords. The cadence type determines whether the phrase sounds finished, unresolved, or somewhere in between.

Main Types of Cadences

There are several commonly used cadence types in tonal music. Each has its own distinct sound and function:

Perfect Authentic Cadence (PAC)

The strongest and most conclusive cadence, typically consisting of a dominant (V) chord resolving to the tonic (I). In a PAC, both chords must be in root position, and the tonic must be in the soprano voice of the final chord. It creates a strong sense of finality — a musical “full stop.”

Example: V – I in C major = G – C

Imperfect Authentic Cadence (IAC)

Also a V–I cadence, but one or both of the following conditions are not met: one of the chords is inverted, or the tonic is not in the soprano voice. It sounds less final than the perfect version but still provides resolution.

Plagal Cadence

A cadence from the subdominant (IV) to the tonic (I). Often called the “Amen cadence” because of its use in liturgical music, it sounds gentle and affirmative but not as strong as the perfect authentic cadence.

Example: IV – I in C major = F – C

Half Cadence

Ends on the dominant (V) chord, creating a sense of suspension or interruption. It sounds like a comma in music — the sentence is not over. Often used mid-phrase or at the end of a section to lead into something new.

Example: II – V or I – V in C major = Dm – G or C – G

Deceptive Cadence

A cadence that begins with the dominant (V) but unexpectedly resolves to a chord other than the tonic, usually the submediant (vi). This surprises the listener and delays resolution.

Example: V – vi in C major = G – Am

Role in Musical Form

Cadences are essential in defining musical form and structure. They help segment pieces into periods, phrases, and sections. For example:

  • A simple binary form (AB) often ends each section with a cadence — the first with a half or deceptive cadence, the second with a perfect cadence.
  • In sonata form, cadences delineate the exposition, development, and recapitulation.
  • In fugues and chorales, cadences organize entries and reinforce harmonic clarity.

Without cadences, music would lack punctuation, making phrases feel ungrounded or directionless. Cadences give shape and a sense of forward motion or release.

Cadences in Different Styles and Periods

Cadences appear across musical styles but are interpreted differently depending on historical and cultural context.

Baroque and Classical Music

In these styles, cadences are clearly articulated and used frequently to structure phrases. Composers like Bach and Haydn used cadences to anchor harmonic motion and reinforce tonality.

Romantic Music

Composers like Chopin and Wagner began to blur cadential expectations by delaying resolutions, using deceptive cadences, or modulating unexpectedly. Romantic cadences are often more expressive and harmonically adventurous.

Jazz and Popular Music

Cadences in jazz often involve chord substitutions, extended harmonies (like 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths), and modal interchange. A typical jazz cadence might be a ii–V–I progression, and deceptive or suspended resolutions are common. In pop music, cadences often rely on simpler progressions like I–V–vi–IV, but they still use tension and release principles.

Examples in Repertoire

  • Bach – Chorales: Frequent use of perfect and plagal cadences to close phrases in clear tonal contexts.
  • Mozart – Piano Sonatas: Strong use of PACs at the end of sections; half cadences to lead into developments.
  • Beethoven – Symphony No. 5: Creative manipulation of cadences to build suspense and dramatic power.
  • Ravel – Pavane pour une infante défunte: Uses gentle plagal cadences to sustain a dreamlike atmosphere.

Teaching and Learning Cadences

Understanding cadences is a key part of music theory and aural skills education. Students learn to identify cadences by ear, analyze their harmonic content, and use them in composition. Keyboard harmony and part-writing exercises often include cadences to reinforce tonal relationships.

Ear training typically includes identifying cadence types by sound: recognizing the strong resolution of a PAC, the soft landing of a plagal cadence, the tension of a half cadence, or the surprise of a deceptive cadence.

Modern Interpretations and Extensions

In 20th and 21st-century music, composers have expanded the concept of cadence beyond functional harmony. In atonal or modal music, cadences may be created through melodic contour, rhythmic emphasis, or texture rather than traditional harmonic progression. In film and video game music, cadences are used to guide emotional shifts and cue transitions in narrative.

Even in electronic and ambient genres, the idea of closure versus continuation is present, sometimes through fades, harmonic stasis, or minimalistic loops that avoid clear cadences altogether — a deliberate choice that shapes mood and structure.

Conclusion

The cadence is a vital component of musical grammar — the punctuation that tells us when a thought ends or continues. Whether offering finality, surprise, or open-ended tension, cadences shape how we perceive musical phrases and structure. From classical symphonies to jazz ballads and pop songs, cadences provide the emotional and harmonic markers that guide our journey through music.