A cadence is a series of chords that imply an ending to the ear. Every good song needs a good ending. Have you ever heard a song where it ended unexpectedly or abruptly? The audience pauses for a few seconds before realizing that the performance is over and they should applaud…or not! Our ears have been trained since birth to recognize what the end of a song is supposed to sound like. If we do not hear one of the appropriate endings, we question the quality of the music. These same types of endings are used so much, that they have each been given their own names. Here are a few of the most common cadences…
Authentic Cadence V -> I
The authentic cadence is the most commonly used ending in history. Nothing says ‘ending’ like hearing V to I.
Plagal Cadence IV -> I
The plagal cadence is sometimes called the “Amen cadence” because of its widespread use in hymns. Still, the IV to I chord progression makes for a highly effective ending.
Deceptive Cadence V -> vi
As it’s name implies, it’s actually not an ending. Rather, it’s a fake ending. Since our most popular way to end a song is V to I, people almost expect to hear a I chord after you play a V. But, when you replace the I with a vi, the audience is pleasantly fooled.
Properly utilizing cadences in your music will make or break it. If you are new to cadences, or simply wish you further your education on the subject, then pick up a copy of Music Theory For The Modern Rockin' Metalhead in the online store.
You can get a head start by downloading sample chapters here.
