Music has a beginning, middle and end. Today, we’re going to focus on the end and it’s the end that average listeners react most to. In music, the end of a piece, a movement, or even a phrase is called a cadence. The cadence not only ends a section of music but it also tells the listener where it is going next.

There are four main types of cadences and each of these serve a different purpose. Let’s look at the four and how they work. Keep in mind that these cadences are often used in what we would call traditional music. Modern music, called art-music by some, doesn’t necessarily use these types of devices.

Authentic Cadence

Have you ever heard a piece of music get to what feels like a cliffhanger as if it’s about to come to a big triumphant ending? You wait and wait and then it happens! You breathe a big sigh of relief. This is called the authentic cadence and most traditional music has at least one of these somewhere. An authentic cadence is when the music gets to a V chord and resolves to a I chord. (See our article about roman numerals by clicking here if you don’t remember how they work.)
Let’s say that we’re in the key of C Major. An authentic cadence would get to a V or G Major Chord (G-B-D) and then resolve to a I chord or C Major Chord. (C-E-G)

Plagal Cadence

The Plagal Cadence is often called the Amen cadence because it’s heard in churches around the world as well as in traditional music. If you’ve ever went to a church where hymns are sung you’ve probably heard the hymn end and then sing “A-men” as something that sounds like an add-on to the hymn. This is a Plagal Cadence.
This is another cadence that signals the end of a piece of music or just a phrase. You will also hear it used in secular music in a way similar to the authentic cadence.

Half Cadence

A half cadence has to end on the V chord and that’s about the only rule. Remember how we said that when you get to the V chord in the Authentic Cadence, it feels a little bit like a cliff hanger? Something else is coming? That’s exactly what the half cadence signals. Something more is on the way. It doesn’t end the piece. The half cadence is used frequently in all types of traditional music. Listen to a song on the radio and you’ll hear the piece get to a certain point and then go somewhere else. A half cadence was at work.

Deceptive Cadence

A half cadence is much like the half cadence except composers often use it to extend a phrase sometimes for dramatic effect. A half cadence most often uses the V to vi progression to accomplish this. It is often used in conjunction with other cadences. Not too far away from a deceptive is normally an authentic cadence.
There you have it. Now you know how to end a piece of music. Try these in a variety of keys. In actuality, you may already be playing these chords as an exercise you do with your scales. Most piano players practices cadences regularly.