Plagal Cadence in Music
A plagal cadence is a type of musical cadence, which is a chord progression that provides a sense of resolution or conclusion to a musical phrase or section. Specifically, a plagal cadence involves the movement from the subdominant (IV) chord to the tonic (I) chord. In the key of C major, for example, a plagal cadence would be the progression from the F major chord (IV) to the C major chord (I).
Plagal cadences are often used in religious and hymnal music, and they are commonly associated with a sense of finality and closure. In Christian hymns, the plagal cadence is frequently used at the end of a hymn, often followed by the word "amen".
It's important to note that a plagal cadence can also be used in minor keys. In this case, the minor iv chord is used instead of the major IV chord. For example, in the key of A minor, a minor plagal cadence would involve the progression from the D minor chord (iv) to the A minor chord (i).
Overall, the plagal cadence provides a harmonically satisfying resolution and is a common tool used by composers to create a sense of finality and closure in their music.
A chord progression where the subdominant chord is followed by the tonic chord (IV-I). The "IV" represents the chord based on the fourth step of the scale and the "I" represents the chord based on the first step of the scale. The subdominant to tonic progression (IV-I) is also known as an "Amen cadence" or "Church Cadence" because it is sung to the word Amen at the conclusion of Protestant hymns. In the tonality of "C" major, a Plagal cadence would be the subdominant (IV) F major chord (F - A - C) moving to the tonic (I) C major chord (C - E - G).
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