Sequencing - Cadences

                                     What Is A Cadence? 

A Cadence is a - Melodic, or harmonic configuration that creates a sense of resolution.

Basically this encompasses at least 2 notes or chords which are extremely common on music from the Baroque and the Classical Periods, but from time to time you will hear Cadences in modern music.

It's musical punctuation, and is often used to identify the end of a phase/section or imply to what might happen next.

What types of Cadence are there? 

• Perfect Cadence - A cadence that moves from the Dominant to the Tonic. Often compositions are finished with this type of cadence giving it a satisfying end to the song, it gives a resolute closure to the piece. 
• Interrupted Cadence - A 'surprise attack' cadence. You expect to hear a perfect cadence here, but instead given a Minor Chord. 
• Imperfect Cadence - An imperfect cadence end on chord V.  This cadence sounds unfinished, as if it had been cut short from continuing in order to complete the music.
• Plagal Cadence - Formed by the chords IV - I. It sounds quite completed, but not as final as the Perfect Cadence. 

• Tierce De Picardie - Is when the final cadence of a piece of music in a Minor ends with a Major chord instead of the anticipated Minor chord.

What does Dominant and Tonic mean?

• TONIC - It is the 1st number/roman numeral/scale of degree of a diatonic scale and it's the tone on which the song is based, it is the tonal centre. It is the most important out of all of them. 
• DOMINANT - It is the fifth scale degree of the diatonic scale, called 'Dominant' because it is next in importance to the Tonic chord. The Dominant's function is to create an instability that requires the Tonic to resolve and bring closure to.

So, the chords (numbers) translate to Roman Numerals, that of which are important to remember:

Why Is The Perfect Cadence So Significant? 

For starters, just in general Cadences are significantly important because they give the ability to cause many different emotions and expectations within even one piece of music, to be able to 'Surprise' or 'Give Closure' to your audience with just a few finishing notes is a truly beautiful thing. Even just to add a pause where it is needed, all brings more depth to the finished piece.

Helpful Links!

What is a Cadence? The Basics:

Different Types Of Cadences

Tonic & Dominant Functions: