Cadences (Junior Cert Music): Revision Notes

Cadences

What is a Cadence?

• A cadence is a pair of chords that usually comes at the end of a musical phrase.
• It is made up of two chords played one after the other.
• It acts like punctuation in a sentence – it can pause the music or bring it to a clear ending.
• Different types of cadences create different feelings in music.
• Cadences are divided into two main groups:
  1. Finishing cadences
  2. Non-finishing cadences
• A cadence is made up of: 3. An approach chord (the first chord) 4. A final chord (the second chord)

Finishing Cadences

• For finishing cadences, the approach chord can be:
  • Chord V (the dominant), or
  • Chord IV (the subdominant)
• The final chord is always chord I (the tonic chord).

1. Perfect Cadence (V → I)

• Chord pattern: V → I (Dominant to Tonic)
• Makes the phrase sound fully complete.
• Known as a "full stop" in music
• In C major: G major (V) → C major (I)

2. Plagal Cadence (IV → I)

• Chord pattern: IV → I (Subdominant to Tonic)
• Makes the phrase sound complete, but softer than a perfect cadence.
• In C major: F major (IV) → C major (I)

Non-Finishing Cadences

• A non-finishing cadence does not end on chord I, so it sounds unfinished or like the music needs to continue.
• These cadences are used at the end of phrases that are not final.

3. Imperfect Cadence (→ V)

• Chord pattern: → V (Ends on the Dominant chord)
• Sounds like a pause, not a full stop.
• The approach chord can be:
  • Chord I (Tonic)
  • Chord ii (Supertonic)
  • Chord IV (Subdominant)
• In C major:
  • C major (I) → G major (V)
  • D minor (ii) → G major (V)
  • F major (IV) → G major (V)

4. Interrupted Cadence (V → vi)

• Chord pattern: V → vi (Dominant to Submediant)
• Starts on chord V, but instead of finishing on chord I, it moves to chord vi (the relative minor).
• This is also called a 'surprise' cadence.
• It tricks the listener into expecting a perfect cadence, but interrupts it by going to a minor chord instead.
• It creates a surprising, unfinished feeling.
• In C major: G major (V) → A minor (vi)

How to Identify a Cadence

• Cadences occur at cadence points — the end of a musical phrase.
• To identify a cadence: 5. Listen for the last two chords. 6. Ask yourself:
  • Does it sound finished or unfinished?
  • Can you hear if it ends on chord I (finished), chord V (imperfect), or chord vi (interrupted)?
  7. Try naming the chords or their Roman numerals.

Tips for Composing:

• Always end on chord I if you want the music to sound finished.
• Use longer notes in the melody at the cadence point to help it stand out.
• Cadence chords must match the melody notes — they should share notes with the final melody line.
• Check the key signature to know which chords you should use.

Cadence Overview Table

Cadence	Chords	Explanation
FINISHING
Perfect	V – I	Ends on the tonic chord (I) after the dominant (V); sounds complete and strong.
Plagal	IV – I	Ends on the tonic (I) after the subdominant (IV); sounds complete but softer — the "Amen" cadence.
NON-FINISHING
Imperfect	I – V ii – V IV – V	Always ends on the dominant (V), so it sounds unfinished.
Interrupted	V – vi	A "surprise" cadence; ends on chord vi instead of I, so it sounds incomplete.