What is Cadence?

A cadence is a sequence of chords that brings a musical phrase or section to a point of rest or resolution. It acts like punctuation in music, signaling the end of a musical idea in a similar way that a period or comma ends a sentence. Cadences help give structure and clarity to melodies and harmonic progressions.

There are several common types of cadences used in music theory. For example, a perfect or authentic cadence occurs when a dominant chord (V) resolves to the tonic chord (I), creating a strong sense of completion. A plagal cadence moves from the subdominant (IV) to the tonic (I), while a half cadence ends on the dominant chord and creates a feeling of suspension rather than full resolution.

Cadences are widely used in many musical styles including classical, jazz, pop, and film music. They help shape the flow of a composition by marking the ends of phrases and sections. By controlling how and when music resolves, cadences play an important role in guiding the listener’s sense of tension and release.