Plagal Cadence

A plagal cadence closes a phrase by moving from the subdominant to the tonic, the familiar IV-I motion often called the "Amen" cadence. It can sound softer, broader, or more devotional than the dominant-tonic pull of an authentic cadence. The tag connects cadence, hymn practice, tonal resolution, and the harmonic gestures that make phrase endings feel complete.

7 articles related to Plagal Cadence:

Music Theory

6 songs to unpack Ionian mode and the major scale

The polyphonic aspects of Western classical music distinguish it from other musical traditions such as Indian Сlassic...
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Authentic cadence exemplified by The Beatles songs

In theory, a cadence refers to a harmonic turnaround that appears at the end of a musical phrase, and the role it plays...
Music Theory

8 songs to introduce Aeolian mode and natural minor scale

Over the past centuries, the composition of polyphonic music has been primarily focused on seven diatonic scales...
Music Theory

Plagal cadence exemplified by 9 songs in all diatonic modes

In musical theory, the term cadence is applied to the chord progressions that create a sense of resolution at the end of... 2 comments
Music Theory

7 songs featuring Mixolydian mode

The dominance of the major and minor modes in Western classical music has been observed for several centuries, and this... 2 comments
Music Theory

Popular songs featuring Phrygian mode and Neapolitan chord

Western music theory describes seven diatonic scales that are the basis of corresponding musical modes, among which the...
Music Theory

Mixolydian mode: famous examples in classical and pop music

In the 17th century, the major and minor scales became the basis for almost all classical music compositions. This... 13 comments