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9.1: Basic Cadences Introduction

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    By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

    • Explain the difference between an inconclusive and conclusive cadenceTwo whole note chords across the grand staff
    • Describe qualities of three major cadences
    • Identify by sound three major cadences

    Cadences

    Cadences are a combination of triads at the end of a phrase that either conclude the musical idea or help it to continue into the next phrase. Cadences help establish the tonal center of the piece or passage.

    Key Terms

    • Cadence: the combination of triads at the end of a phrase that helps establish the tonal center of a piece or passage
    • Inconclusive Cadence: a combination of triads that continues the musical momentum to the next phrase
    • Conclusive Cadence: a combination of triads that conclude a musical phrase or idea
    • Perfect Authentic Cadence: a cadence made up of a dominant chord as the first chord and a tonic chord as the second chord. Both chords must be in root position and we must hear do in the top voice of the tonic chord
    • Imperfect Authentic Cadence: a cadence made up of a dominant chord as the first chord and a tonic chord as the second chord. Chords can be in any inversion and have any chord tone in the top voice
    • Half Cadence: a cadence made up of any chord as the first chord and the dominant chord as the second chord

    This page titled 9.1: Basic Cadences Introduction was last modified on Wed, 16 Jul 2025 03:42:26 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lauren C. Sharkey.