Cadences and Predominant Function
Benjamin Wright
11 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers cadences in music theory, including their function as musical punctuation. It details authentic cadences (perfect and imperfect), plagal cadences, half cadences (including the Phrygian half cadence), and deceptive cadences. The guide explains the criteria for each cadence type, provides examples, and offers practice questions and exam tips focusing on identification, analysis, and four-part writing of these cadences.
#AP Music Theory: Cadences - Your Ultimate Guide 🎶
Hey there, future music maestro! Let's nail these cadences. Think of them as musical punctuation—they tell us where a phrase is going. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the exam. Let's make sure you feel confident and ready!
#1. Cadence Basics
Cadences are harmonic conclusions of musical phrases. They create a sense of resolution, closure, or partial closure. Think of them as the commas, periods, and question marks of music.
- Resolution: Feeling of completion or arrival.
- Closure: Sense of finality.
- Partial Closure: Creates suspense or anticipation.
#Types of Cadences
Here's a quick overview of the cadences we'll cover:
- Authentic Cadences
- Plagal Cadence (PC)
- Half Cadence (HC)
- Deceptive Cadence (DC)
Practice Question
Multiple Choice Questions
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Which cadence provides the strongest sense of resolution? a) Half Cadence b) Imperfect Authentic Cadence c) Perfect Authentic Cadence d) Deceptive Cadence
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A cadence ending on the dominant chord (V) is called a: a) Plagal Cadence b) Half Cadence c) Deceptive Cadence d) Perfect Authentic Cadence
Short Answer Question
- Briefly explain the difference between a perfect authentic cadence and an imperfect authentic cadence.
#2. Authentic Cadences
Authentic cadences involve a dominant function chord (V or vii°) resolving to the tonic (I). They provide a strong sense of resolution and finality. This is a super high-yield topic, so make sure you've got it down!
#2.1. Perfect Authentic Cadence (PAC)
The PAC is the strongest cadence, providing the most conclusive resolution. Think of it as the musical equivalent of a period at the end of a sentence.
Criteria for a PAC:
- Dominant Chord: Must be a V chord (not vii°).
- Root Position: Both V and I chords must be in root position.
- Soprano Ending: The soprano voice must end on the tonic.
- Stepwise Motion: The soprano voice must move by step to the tonic.
- Example: In C major, a G major chord (V) in root position moving to a C major chord (I) in root position, with the soprano moving from B to C.
#2.2. Imperfect Authentic Cadence (IAC)
IACs provide a sense of resolution, but are weaker than PACs. They're like a comma, providing a pause but not a full stop.
Characteristics of an IAC:
- Does not meet all the criteria of a PAC.
- Common variations include:
- V or vii° in root position to I, but soprano doesn't end...
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