A cadence is a chord progression composed of two or more chords which occur at the end of a phrase or the end of a song. It creates a feeling of either finality, or temporary finality.

Here are the 5 most prominent cadences:

1. The authentic cadence (also known as the perfect cadence) is composed of the chord progression V to I or V7 to I with both chords in root position and the keynote of the I chord on the top.

2. The Imperfect or incomplete cadence is the same as the authentic cadence, except the top note of the chord is the 3rd or 5th of the chord instead of the keynote.

3. The half cadence is a chord progression that comes to rest not on the I chord, but on the V chord. This creates a temporary feeling of rest.

4. The Plagal cadence is made up of two chords — the IV chord moving to the I chord. This is also known as the “Amen cadence”, since it it used in countless hymns as A-men.

5. The complete cadence is a chord progression that moves from the I chord to the IV chord to the V or V7 chord, then ending on the I chord.