Have you ever listened to a piece of music and felt like something was not quite resolved at the end? That feeling may be due to an imperfect cadence.
In music theory, a cadence is a series of chords that bring a musical phrase to a close. It’s like a period at the end of a sentence. An imperfect cadence is one type of cadence that doesn’t provide a sense of finality, leaving the listener with the expectation that there is more to come.
What Is a Cadence?
Before we dive into what an imperfect cadence is, let’s first define what a cadence is in music theory. A cadence is simply the harmonic resolution at the end of a musical phrase or section. It creates a sense of closure and gives the listener’s ear something to latch onto.
The Types of Cadences
There are several types of cadences, but the four most common ones are:
- Perfect Authentic Cadences (PAC)
- Imperfect Authentic Cadences (IAC)
- Plagal Cadences
- Half Cadences
A perfect authentic cadence (PAC) provides complete harmonic closure and consists of two chords: V-I (or dominant-tonic). The V chord creates tension that resolves on the I chord, creating a satisfying sense of resolution.
An imperfect authentic cadence (IAC) also uses the V-I chord progression but ends on something other than the tonic chord. This creates an unfinished sound that leaves listeners with an expectation for more.
A plagal cadence uses two chords: IV-I (or subdominant-tonic). It’s often referred to as an “Amen” or “church” cadence because it’s commonly used in hymns or religious music.
A half cadence ends on the V chord, creating a sense of tension that is left unresolved. It’s like a musical comma that indicates a pause before continuing.
The Characteristics of an Imperfect Cadence
An imperfect cadence is characterized by the use of the V chord followed by a chord other than the I chord. For example, in the key of C major, an imperfect cadence would be G7 (V) followed by Am (vi). The V chord creates tension that is not fully resolved by the vi chord, leaving listeners with an expectation for more.
The Function of an Imperfect Cadence
Imperfect cadences are often used in music to create tension and anticipation for what’s to come. They’re like a cliffhanger at the end of a TV show episode that leaves you wanting more. They’re also commonly used at the end of musical phrases to create a sense of continuity between sections.
In Conclusion
An imperfect cadence is one type of cadence that doesn’t provide a sense of finality but rather leaves listeners with an expectation for more. It’s created by using the V chord followed by a chord other than the I chord.
Understanding different types of cadences can help you better analyze and appreciate music, whether you’re listening or playing. So next time you listen to your favorite song, pay attention to how it ends and see if you can identify which type of cadence it uses!