1.1.3

Harmonic Pitch

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Cadences

It is really important that you understand what cadences are and that you are able to spot them in music by listening to the different effect that each one has.

Cadences

Cadences

  • Cadences are essentially the two chords which end a musical phrase (a bit like a musical ‘sentence’).
  • There are three main ways in which you can end a phrase:
    • Make it sound finished.
    • Make sound unfinished.
    • Make it sound unexpected.
Finished ending

Finished ending

  • If it sounds finished then there are two options:
    • Perfect cadence.
    • Plagal cadence.
Perfect cadence

Perfect cadence

  • Perfect cadence (chords V - I, e.g. G - C).
    • This is the most common of all cadences and has a really strong sense of a phrase sounding like the end of a piece.
    • We would use a perfect cadence in the final phrase of a piece.
Plagal cadence

Plagal cadence

  • Plagal cadence (chords IV - I, e.g. F - C).
    • Again this would make the phrase sound like the piece had ended, but a slightly smoother effect.
    • It is used at the end of many hymn tunes and can be remembered as it sounds like the words A-MEN are being sung!
Imperfect cadence

Imperfect cadence

  • If it sounds unfinished then it is an:
    • Imperfect cadence (usually chords I or IV - V, e.g. C or F - G).
      • An imperfect cadence sounds like the piece of music has not yet finished and wants to carry on.
      • You would use an imperfect cadence for a phrase in the middle of a piece of music.
Interrupted cadence

Interrupted cadence

  • If it sounds unexpected then it is an:
    • Interrupted cadence (usually chords V - VI, e.g. G to Am).
      • The interrupted cadence is used to add an unexpected twist to the end of a phrase.
      • This is because (when in a major key) it finishes on a minor chord (in the example given - chord VI/A Minor).
Jump to other topics
1

Musical Elements

1.1

Organisation of Pitch

1.1.1Melodic Pitch1.1.2Melodic Devices1.1.3Harmonic Pitch1.1.4Harmonic Devices1.1.5Harmonic Progressions
1.2

Tonality

1.2.1Major & Minor Tonality1.2.2End of Topic Test - Musical Elements
2

Instrumental Music 1700–1820

2.1

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.1Concerto No. 5 in D Major2.1.2Structure & Melody2.1.3Instrumentation & Texture2.1.4Harmony2.1.5Wider Listening
2.2

Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’

2.2.1Piano Sonata No. 82.2.2Structure & Melody2.2.3Other Features2.2.4Wider Listening2.2.5End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820
3

Vocal Music

3.1

Purcell: Music for a While

3.1.1Music for a While3.1.2Other Features3.1.3Wider Listening
3.2

Queen: Killer Queen

3.2.1Killer Queen3.2.2Other Features3.2.3Wider Listening3.2.4End of Topic Test - Vocal Music
4

Music for Stage & Screen

4.1

Schwartz: Defying Gravity

4.1.1Defying Gravity4.1.2Other Features4.1.3Wider Listening4.1.4End of Topic Test - Defying Gravity
4.2

Williams: Star Wars Episode IV

4.2.1A New Hope4.2.2Structure & Melody4.2.3Other Features4.2.4Wider Listening4.2.5End of Topic Test - Star Wars Episode IV
5

Fusions

5.1

Afro Celt Sound System: Release

5.1.1Release5.1.2Other Features5.1.3Wider Listening
5.2

Spalding: Samba Em Preludio

5.2.1Samba Em Preludio5.2.2Structure & Melody5.2.3Other Features5.2.4Wider Listening5.2.5End of Topic Test - Fusions

Practice questions on Harmonic Pitch

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  1. 1
    Three ways to end a musical phrase:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    What type of cadence sounds unfinished?Multiple choice
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Melodic Devices

Harmonic Devices