Mon Prof Augmenté
Two Chord Endings
Age 17 · Music
A perfect cadence moves from the dominant chord to the tonic chord and sounds finished. An interrupted cadence moves from the dominant chord to the submediant chord, so the ending swerves away from the expected tonic.
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In the picture
- Dominant chord (V): the amber three-key group on the upper-left keyboard.
- Tonic chord (I): the green three-key group on the lower-left keyboard, resolving the phrase.
- Dominant chord (V): the amber three-key group on the upper-right keyboard.
- Submediant chord (vi): the blue three-key group on the lower-right keyboard, replacing the expected tonic.
Examples
- A hymn verse ending on the tonic chord after the dominant.
- A pop chorus that lands on a minor chord instead of the expected major tonic.
Key takeaways
- V–I sounds complete and final.
- V–vi sounds unfinished and surprising.
Quiz: Two Chord Endings (Age 17)
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Which cadence sounds complete and final?
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In an interrupted cadence, which chord follows the dominant chord?
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Which cadence swerves away from the expected tonic?
The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.
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