Form and Cadence
A cadence is a point of rest. For example, the natural point of rest that occurs when a full stop is reached at the end of a sentence. Cadence in music is like punctuation in language, full stops, commas etc.
In music however we don't use full stops and commas. Cadences occur at the end of phrases by using long notes and by using certain chords.
When writing Leaving Cert melodies, 4 cadences are used, so we write 4, 4-bar phrases.
The following chords make cadences:
V-I is a perfect cadence. It sounds like a full stop. Use it at bar 16, the end of the melody.
?-V is an imperfect cadence. It sounds like a comma.
V-vi is an interupted cadence. It sounds unexpected (minor)
IV-I is a plagal cadence. (Amen)
In music however we don't use full stops and commas. Cadences occur at the end of phrases by using long notes and by using certain chords.
When writing Leaving Cert melodies, 4 cadences are used, so we write 4, 4-bar phrases.
The following chords make cadences:
V-I is a perfect cadence. It sounds like a full stop. Use it at bar 16, the end of the melody.
?-V is an imperfect cadence. It sounds like a comma.
V-vi is an interupted cadence. It sounds unexpected (minor)
IV-I is a plagal cadence. (Amen)
You must use cadences when writing a melody, when using chords in the harmony question and you are expected to recognise the sound of cadences on the listening paper.
In short, finish on doh to use a perfect cadence, finish on one of the notes of chord V (soh te and re) to use an imperfect cadence.
The form (structure) is partly dictated by the use of cadences.