Recognise authentic, plagal, half, and deceptive cadences, and use them to shape phrases.
Ecouter cette lecon
Voix de synthese, pas un enregistrement de studio
Pret pour la lecture a voix haute · 1/16
Ce que vous allez apprendre
- The four main cadence types and how they sound.
- Why V to I is the strongest motion in tonal music.
- How to identify a deceptive cadence by ear.
- How songwriters use cadences to delay or release tension.
Le concept
A cadence is a chord pair that ends a phrase. It tells the listener how complete or unfinished a thought feels. The authentic cadence (V to I) sounds like a full stop. The plagal cadence (IV to I) sounds like an amen and feels gentler. The half cadence (anything to V) sounds like a comma, leaving the phrase open. The deceptive cadence (V to vi) promises a return home but pivots into a minor surprise.
Cadences create the rhythm of harmony at a higher level than individual chords. Even a four chord pop song uses cadences to mark the end of verses, choruses, and bridges. Without them every progression would feel like a continuous run-on sentence.
A la guitare
Try this in G major: play G, C, G, D, then G again. The D to G at the end is an authentic cadence. Now end the same phrase on D and stop. That open feeling is a half cadence.
Replace the final G with Em and you get a deceptive cadence. The pull was set up the same way, but the resolution went sideways.
Exercices
- 01
Loop V to I and V to vi back to back and hear the difference clearly.
- 02
Pick three songs you know and find the cadence at the end of each chorus.
- 03
Write an eight bar phrase with a half cadence in bar four and an authentic cadence in bar eight.
Erreurs courantes
- Treating every V to I as the same. The authentic perfect cadence requires both chords in root position with the tonic on top.
- Confusing a half cadence with an unfinished thought. It is intentional, not a mistake.
Ecouter, jouer, creer
- Listen: the end of every Bach chorale phrase is a textbook cadence.
- Play: improvise an eight bar phrase that ends on a deceptive cadence.
- Create: harmonise a short melody with three different cadences for three different feelings.
Utilisez ces outils
Pour aller plus loin
Cadences are how harmony breathes. Hear them, name them, and your phrases start telling stories.