Harmonic Pitch

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 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

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

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

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).

1Musical Elements

1.1Organisation of Pitch

1.1.1Melodic Pitch

1.1.2Melodic Devices

1.1.3Harmonic Pitch

1.1.4Harmonic Devices

1.1.5Harmonic Progressions

1.2Tonality

1.2.1Major & Minor Tonality

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Musical Elements

2Instrumental Music 1700–1820

2.1Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.1Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.2Structure & Melody

2.1.3Instrumentation & Texture

2.1.4Harmony

2.1.5Wider Listening

2.2Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’

2.2.1Piano Sonata No. 8

2.2.2Structure & Melody

2.2.3Other Features

2.2.4Wider Listening

2.2.5End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820

3Vocal Music

3.1Purcell: Music for a While

3.1.1Music for a While

3.1.2Other Features

3.1.3Wider Listening

3.2Queen: Killer Queen

3.2.1Killer Queen

3.2.2Other Features

3.2.3Wider Listening

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Vocal Music

4Music for Stage & Screen

4.1Schwartz: Defying Gravity

4.1.1Defying Gravity

4.1.2Other Features

4.1.3Wider Listening

4.2Williams: Star Wars Episode IV

4.2.1A New Hope

4.2.2Structure & Melody

4.2.3Other Features

4.2.4Wider Listening

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Music for Stage & Screen

5Fusions

5.1Afro Celt Sound System: Release

5.1.1Release

5.1.2Other Features

5.1.3Wider Listening

5.2Spalding: Samba Em Preludio

5.2.1Samba Em Preludio

5.2.2Structure & Melody

5.2.3Other Features

5.2.4Wider Listening

5.2.5End of Topic Test - Fusions

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