The Imperfect Cadence - Music Theory

Music Matters
18 May 201706:07
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video explains cadences in music, comparing the imperfect cadence to a comma that provides a break in the musical phrase without fully concluding it. It defines cadences as musical punctuation and contrasts the open-ended imperfect cadence that finishes on the dominant chord with the conclusive perfect and plagal cadences that finish on the tonic chord. It provides examples of common chord progressions like I-V, II-V, and IV-V that can be used to form imperfect cadences in a given key.

Takeaways
  • 😀 A cadence is a type of musical punctuation that helps break up phrases in music.
  • 😊 There are 4 main types of cadences: perfect, plagal, imperfect, and interrupted.
  • 🎵 An imperfect cadence ends on the dominant chord (V) so leaves us expecting more music to follow.
  • 🎹 The imperfect cadence can be thought of as a musical comma - a pause before continuing the phrase.
  • 🎼 Imperfect cadences commonly go from I to V, II to V, or IV to V in a key.
  • 🎤 Using imperfect cadences in addition to perfect cadences creates musical variety.
  • 🎶 Imperfect cadences involve using the notes from the I, II, IV or V chords of the key.
  • 🎹 Play around with imperfect cadences on your instrument to get used to the sound.
  • 🎵 Composers can use imperfect cadences to end phrases before continuing the music.
  • 😊 Imperfect cadences are a useful musical tool for phrasing and punctuation.
Q & A

  • What is a cadence in music?

    -A cadence is a kind of musical punctuation that helps to break up the music, punctuate it, and allow the music to breathe at the end of a phrase before it goes on to a new phrase.

  • What are the two main types of cadences discussed?

    -The two main types discussed are the perfect cadence, which is like a musical full stop, and the imperfect cadence, which is more like a musical comma.

  • How does an imperfect cadence make the music feel?

    -An imperfect cadence makes the music feel like it has momentarily stopped or come up for air, but it doesn't feel like the end of something because it doesn't finish on the tonic chord.

  • What chord must an imperfect cadence finish on?

    -An imperfect cadence must finish on chord V, also known as the dominant chord.

  • What are some common imperfect cadence patterns?

    -Common imperfect cadence patterns are: I to V, II to V, and IV to V.

  • How can you find the chords I, II, IV, and V in a key?

    -To find chords I, II, IV and V, put the first, second, fourth, and fifth notes of the scale above the bottom note to form triads. So in C Major that would be C E G (I), D F A (II), F A C (IV), and G B D (V).

  • Why use imperfect cadences in your music?

    -Using some imperfect cadences in addition to perfect cadences can be effective to create musical commas and punctuation rather than just full stops all the way through.

  • How could melodic instrument players relate to cadences?

    -The notes melodic instrument players use in their melodic lines will be spelling out the notes that belong to the chords providing the cadence patterns.

  • What's an example of an imperfect cadence sounding like a musical comma?

    -The example phrase played on piano demonstrates finishing on an imperfect cadence, sounding like a temporary stopping point and musical comma before going on with a new phrase finishing on a perfect cadence full stop.

  • How can you get more familiar with the imperfect cadence?

    -You can play around with imperfect cadences on an instrument to get used to the sound, or try using them to end phrases if you are a composer.

Outlines
00:00
🎵 Understanding Imperfect Cadences as Musical Punctuation

The imperfect cadence is a musical comma, ending a musical phrase on the dominant chord rather than the tonic chord. It leaves the music unresolved, expecting more to follow. Formulas for imperfect cadences are I-V, II-V, or IV-V using the chords built on scale degrees in a key.

05:01
🎹 Using Imperfect and Perfect Cadences Together in a Piece

An effective technique is to end one musical phrase with an imperfect cadence like a comma, then end the next phrase with a perfect cadence like a full stop. This provides forward momentum and musical punctuation.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Cadence
A cadence in music acts as a form of punctuation, marking the end of a phrase or section with a particular chord progression that provides closure or pause. In the video, cadences are likened to full stops, commas, and question marks in language, helping to organize music into coherent, digestible segments. The video specifically discusses different types of cadences, such as perfect, plagal, and imperfect, each serving a unique function in musical structure.
💡Perfect Cadence
The perfect cadence is described as a musical full stop, typically involving a progression from the V (dominant) chord to the I (tonic) chord. This type of cadence provides a strong sense of conclusion and is often used to signal the end of a musical phrase or piece. The video highlights its role in creating a feeling of 'coming home' due to its resolution to the tonic chord.
💡Plagal Cadence
The plagal cadence, also referred to as the 'Amen' cadence, progresses from the IV (subdominant) chord to the I (tonic) chord. It is another form of musical full stop but with a softer resolution compared to the perfect cadence. The video mentions the plagal cadence in the context of providing closure, yet with a different color or emotional effect than the perfect cadence.
💡Imperfect Cadence
An imperfect cadence is likened to a musical comma, indicating a pause or breath before the music continues. It typically moves from any chord to the V (dominant) chord, leaving a sense of anticipation or suspense as it does not resolve to the tonic. The video emphasizes its usefulness in varying musical texture and expectation, preventing monotony by interspersing moments that suggest continuation rather than conclusion.
💡Dominant Chord
The dominant (V) chord plays a crucial role in creating tension and expectation in music, serving as the foundation for the imperfect cadence. The video discusses its role in finishing on a note of anticipation, making it essential for composers and performers to understand its function in leading the music forward or preparing for a resolution.
💡Tonic Chord
The tonic (I) chord is the home chord of a key, providing a sense of resolution and stability. The video explains its importance in the perfect and plagal cadences as the point of rest, contrasting with the tension created by the dominant chord in imperfect cadences. The tonic chord underpins the feeling of 'coming home' that is essential for concluding musical phrases.
💡Triad
A triad is a set of three notes that form a chord, typically consisting of a root, third, and fifth. The video delves into how triads are constructed from scale degrees in the key of C major (C, D, F, G) and how they correspond to chords I, II, IV, and V. This basic understanding of triads is fundamental for identifying and utilizing the different chords involved in cadences.
💡Scale Degrees
Scale degrees refer to the positions of notes within a scale, numbered from one to seven. In the context of the video, scale degrees are used to find the notes that form the basis of chords I, II, IV, and V in the key of C major. This concept is essential for understanding how chords are constructed and how they function within cadences.
💡Chord Progression
Chord progression refers to a sequence of chords played in a piece of music. The video explains different chord progressions that create imperfect cadences (I to V, II to V, IV to V), emphasizing their role in adding variety and emotional nuance to music. Understanding these progressions is crucial for composers and performers to craft phrases that convey specific feelings or narrative movements.
💡Musical Texture
Musical texture refers to how layers of melody, harmony, and rhythm interact in a composition. The video touches on this concept when discussing the use of different chord voicings and spacings to enrich the sound of a cadence. This aspect of composition and performance affects the overall feel and complexity of the music, illustrating the depth that can be achieved through thoughtful arrangement of musical elements.
Highlights

Patients with severe COVID-19 develop acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ failure

Autopsy studies show diffuse alveolar damage and inflammatory cell infiltration in lungs of COVID-19 patients

SARS-CoV-2 uses ACE2 receptor to enter target cells, leading to downregulation of ACE2 activity

Anti-inflammatory therapies may mitigate cytokine storm and immune-mediated damage in severe COVID-19

Dexamethasone reduces mortality in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients

Remdesivir modestly reduces time to recovery but unclear mortality benefit in COVID-19

Convalescent plasma with high antibody titers may improve outcomes if given early

Vaccines induce robust neutralizing antibodies and protection from COVID-19

mRNA vaccines elicit stronger T cell responses than adenovirus vector vaccines

Vaccine-induced immunity wanes after 6 months, boosters restore protection

Omicron evades some neutralizing antibodies, reducing vaccine efficacy

Vaccination remains highly effective against severe disease and death

Future efforts targeting variant-proof vaccines and pan-coronavirus vaccines

Long COVID presents persistent symptoms months after acute infection

Multidisciplinary care needed for COVID-19 patients with various sequelae

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

The Interrupted Cadence - Music Theory

The Perfect Cadence - Music Theory

The Plagal Cadence - Music Theory

#41 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY

#26 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY

How to Harmonize a Melody - Music Theory

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating: