16.3: The Cadential Six-Four Chord
16.3 The Cadential Six-Four Chord
A common term in music theory—the “ cadential six-four ” (or cadential 46)—is used to refer to the II46 that regularly proceeds the VV chord in cadences.
It is worth remembering that the cadential 46 (or II46) has dominant function , just like the VV chord that usually follows it. Previously, we have called this chord “I5thI/5th.”
We will use the term “cadential six-four” throughout the rest of this text, now that figured bass has been introduced.