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intermediate · Conservatory / Karpinski

Cadence Sense

Identify how phrases end — the punctuation of music

A phrase plays and ends on a cadence. Identify: perfect authentic (V-I), plagal (IV-I), half (ending on V), or deceptive (V-vi). Cadences are the grammar of tonal music — hearing them unlocks phrase-level understanding.

How it works

  1. 1.
    Listen to the phrase
    A 4-8 bar musical phrase plays.
  2. 2.
    Focus on the ending
    How does it end? Does it feel resolved, suspended, or surprised?
  3. 3.
    Identify cadence type
    Select: Perfect Authentic, Plagal, Half, Deceptive.
  4. 4.
    Sing the last two chords
    Sing the bass notes of the final two chords to confirm your hearing.

Prerequisites

chord_progression_common

Cadence

~5 min · 3× per week · 8 weeks to competency
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