A cadence is how a chord progression ends. It's the final two chords - the last taste at the end of a musical phrase.
A cadence can sound conclusive, continue into the next phrase, or redirect the listener. The effect comes from the chord functions and voicing, not from one universal ending sound.
Authentic cadence (V - I)
V moving to I gives a strong sense of arrival in a major-key example. The dominant contains notes that lead into the tonic, so the final chord can sound complete and final.
V -> I: the strongest resolution
This cadence is common at the ends of sections, choruses, and complete songs. Its strength also makes it useful when you want a phrase to sound deliberately finished. Using the dominant 7th (G7) makes the pull even stronger.
V7 -> I: with dominant 7th
Plagal cadence (IV - I)
The "amen" cadence - softer and warmer than authentic. Less dramatic, more settling. Often used as a gentle ending after the main resolution has already happened.
IV -> I: the gentle landing
Half cadence (X - V)
Ends on the V instead of resolving to I. Feels unfinished - like stopping a meal before dessert. Creates expectation that something is coming next.
I -> V: the cliffhanger
Used at the end of a verse to set up the chorus, or between phrases to keep the momentum going.
Deceptive cadence (V - vi)
You expect V to resolve to I, but it goes to vi instead. Surprising but not wrong - like expecting something sweet and getting something savoury. It works because vi shares two notes with I.
V -> vi: the surprise
Used to extend a phrase when you want to avoid a full resolution. Common in pop, film scores, and any time you want to keep the listener engaged.
Try it
Listen to the four cadence examples again without looking at their names. Put them in order from most final to least final, then check your ranking against the summary. Notice that V-I feels finished, while the half-cadence example keeps asking for another chord.
The ending changes the listener's expectation even when the earlier chords are identical.
Comparing cadences
Key takeaway
Cadences are how phrases end. Authentic (V-I) = resolved. Plagal (IV-I) = gentle. Half (X-V) = unfinished. Deceptive (V-vi) = surprise. They control how each section feels when it closes.
Next: borrowing chords from outside the key for unexpected colour.
Explore cadential movement in context
Use the Harmonic Map to audition progressions and hear how different resolutions land.