The Perfect Cadence - Music Theory
TLDRThe script explains the concept of cadences in music, describing them as a form of musical punctuation used to denote the end of a musical phrase or sentence. It then focuses on the 'perfect cadence', which comprises chord V followed by chord I. After illustrating how to derive chords I and V in the key of C Major, examples are provided of how chord V can be voiced in different ways, with the only rule being that it must then resolve to chord I to create the perfect cadence.
Takeaways
- 😀 Cadences are like musical punctuation that indicate the end of a musical phrase or sentence
- 😊 There are 4 main cadences used in music
- 🎵 The perfect cadence consists of chord V followed by chord I
- 🎹 To find chord I, build a triad starting on the 1st scale degree (C in C major)
- 🎼 To find chord V, build a triad starting on the 5th scale degree (G in C major)
- 🎶 You can voice chord V and chord I in any way, as long as they contain the right notes
- 🎵 Using a perfect cadence gives a sense of finality, like a musical full stop
- 😄 Perfect cadences can make your music feel more grounded and resolved
- 🎉 Experiment with perfect cadences when ending musical phrases
- 🎻 You can use perfect cadences on any instrument by outlining chord V and chord I notes
Q & A
What are cadences in music?
-Cadences are like musical punctuation marks that indicate the end of a musical phrase or sentence. They help to provide structure and breaks within the music.
What are the four main cadences used in music?
-The four main cadences used in music are the perfect cadence, imperfect cadence, plagal cadence, and deceptive cadence.
How is a perfect cadence formed?
-A perfect cadence is formed by playing chord V followed by chord I. For example, in the key of C major, chord V would be a G major chord and chord I would be a C major chord.
Why is the perfect cadence described as a 'full stop'?
-The perfect cadence is described as a musical 'full stop' because chord I brings you back home to the tonic chord, providing resolution. It gives a sense of finality, like a period at the end of a sentence.
Can the notes of chord V and chord I be played in different ways?
-Yes, the notes of chord V and chord I can be played in different octaves, spread out over multiple octaves, distributed between multiple instruments, etc. The only requirement is that chord V leads to chord I.
How could you use a perfect cadence if playing a melodic instrument like the violin?
-On a melodic instrument like the violin, you could outline or emphasize the notes of chord V leading to chord I to create the sense of a perfect cadence at the end of a phrase, even without harmony.
What is a V7 chord?
-A V7 chord adds a minor seventh to the fifth chord (chord V) of the key. This adds tension that enhances the resolution when moving to chord I in a perfect cadence.
Where might a composer use a perfect cadence?
-A composer would likely use a perfect cadence at the end of musical phrases within a piece and at the very end of a section or entire composition to provide a sense of finality.
How could you experiment with perfect cadences?
-You could experiment with perfect cadences by playing them on keyboard, composing short melodies that end with a perfect cadence, or outlining them on a melodic instrument. You could also try adding extensions like the V7.
What are some other musical punctuation marks besides cadences?
-Some other musical punctuation marks besides cadences include rests, fermatas (held notes), staccato and legato articulations, breath marks, and dynamic changes.
Outlines
🎵 Explaining musical cadences and the perfect cadence
The paragraph introduces the concept of cadences in music, describing them as a form of musical punctuation that signals the end of a musical phrase or sentence. It then focuses on the perfect cadence, which consists of chord V followed by chord I in a given key. Examples are provided of how to build triads on scale degrees I and V to create the perfect cadence in C major, along with variations using different voicings and octaves.
🎹 Using perfect cadences when writing or playing music
The paragraph encourages applying perfect cadences when writing or playing music to create musical punctuation and a sense of finality at the end of phrases. It gives examples of using a perfect cadence in a melody on piano, and notes that the concept can be adapted to other instruments as well by using the chord tones of V and I.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡cadences
💡perfect cadence
💡chord
💡cadential function
💡harmony
💡tonic
💡dominant
💡musical punctuation
💡resolution
💡melody
Highlights
Cadences are like musical punctuation that indicate the end of a musical phrase or sentence
The perfect cadence consists of chord V followed by chord I
In the key of C major, chord I is a C major triad and chord V is a G major triad
Chord I brings you back home to the tonic and gives a sense of finality like a musical full stop
The notes of chord V and chord I can be arranged in any inversion, octave or voicing
A perfect cadence can be used to end a melody or musical phrase
The perfect cadence provides a sense of finality and resolution
The V chord can be made richer by adding a 7th to make it a V7 chord
Perfect cadences are a useful compositional tool for punctuation in music writing
Perfect cadences can be played on any instrument by using the right notes
Try experimenting with perfect cadences on keyboard or composing melodies with cadential punctuation
Other cadences like plagal and deceptive will be covered later
Cadences help give musical ideas breath by punctuating phrases
Cadences reinforce coming to the end of a musical thought or sentence
The I and V chords form the cornerstone of most perfect cadences
Transcripts
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