How to Identify Any Musical Cadence in Two Easy Steps

Just as spoken sentences end with periods, commas, or question marks, musical phrases conclude with two-chord formulas called cadences. Recognizing them is a vital skill in classical score analysis: • Perfect Cadence (V – I): The musical "full stop". It sounds conclusive, resolute, and completely finished. • Plagal Cadence (IV – I): The "Amen" cadence heard at the end of traditional church hymns. Soft and resolved. • Imperfect Cadence (I, ii, IV, or vi moving to V): The musical "comma" or "question mark". It pauses on the dominant chord, demanding continuation. • Interrupted Cadence (V – vi): The "surprise" or deceptive cadence. The ear expects Chord I, but gets minor Chord vi instead.

Do NOT analyze both chords at the same time. Always use this 2-step decision tree: Step 1: Identify the FINAL Chord — Stack the notes of the last chord into thirds (root position). Determine its Roman numeral relative to the home key: • If the final chord is Chord V -> STOP! It MUST be an Imperfect Cadence. • If the final chord is Chord vi -> STOP! It MUST be an Interrupted Cadence (assuming Chord V preceded it). • If the final chord is Chord I -> Move to Step 2. Step 2: Inspect the PENULTIMATE Chord (The 1st Chord): • If it is Chord V -> It is a Perfect Cadence (V – I). • If it is Chord IV -> It is a Plagal Cadence (IV – I).

In minor keys, Chord V is ALWAYS a major triad because of the raised 7th degree (harmonic minor). For example, in A Minor, Chord V is E – G# – B. If an examiner presents an A minor cadence with E – G – B (natural G), it is NOT Chord V! Watch out for that required sharp or natural accidental on the leading note.