Phrases and Cadences
  • A phrase is a series of notes that sound complete even when played apart from the main song.
  • We will use this musical example to demonstrate phrases.
  • Play the first two measures, notice how they sound incomplete.
  • Now play the first four measures, they sounds more complete.
  • These measures could be considered a phrase.
  • Play the fifth through eighth measures.
  • Due to their completeness, they also form a phrase.
  • A cadence is a two-chord progression that occurs at the end of a phrase.
  • If a phrase ends with any chord going to V, a half cadence (HC) occurs.
  • Replay the first four measures and notice the sound of the half cadence.
  • Most people will hear a half cadence as sounding incomplete. Because of this, composers usually will follow half cadences with a phrase ending in an authentic cadence (AC).
  • An authentic cadence occurs whenever a phrase ends with V or viio going to I (or i if minor).
  • Play this example and notice the sound of both cadences.
  • Authentic cadences are often classified as either perfect or imperfect.
  • To be considered a perfect authentic cadence (PAC), the cadence must meet three requirements.
  • First, V must be used rather than viio.
  • Second, both chords must be in root position.
  • Finally, the highest note of the I (or i) chord must be the tonic of the scale.
  • An imperfect authentic cadence (IAC) fails to meet these requirements.
  • These authentic cadences are all imperfect due to various reasons.
  • In the first example, a viio is used instead of a V.
  • In the second example, one of the chords is not in root position.
  • In the third example, the highest note of the I chord is not the tonic of the scale.
  • In addition to authentic and half cadences, two other kinds exist.
  • If a phrase ends with IV (or iv) going to I (or i), a plagal cadence (PC) occurs.
  • Play this example and notice the sound of the plagal cadence.
  • If a phrase ends with V going to a chord other than I (or i), a deceptive cadence (DC) occurs.
  • Deceptive cadences are often used in place of an authentic cadence.
  • Recall the musical example used at the beginning of this lesson. Let's replace the authentic cadence at the end of the second phrase with a deceptive cadence.
  • Play the modified example. Notice how the cadence “deceives” you (since you are expecting to hear a I).
  • Use this chart to reference cadences.
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