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Introduction

Basics

Introduction to Cadences

Simple Prolongation

First Analysis

Decorations

More Prolongations

Analysis

Cadences 123+345

Sequences I

Cadence Variations

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The Basic Cadence Pattern

Examples of the Basic Cadence Pattern are easy to find. Sometimes the pattern is presented quite clearly, but more often there is some decoration involved. Here is the pattern, as presented in Introduction to Cadences:

Key characteristics of this pattern include:

• A -- bass line.
• A melodic line which is moving (most often falling) towards the tonic. Common lines are: --- and ---.
• A II - I - V - I chord progression.

The rhythm used can vary quite widely. The only sure constant is that the I chord will occur on a beat which is metrically stronger than or equal to the location of the V chord.

There are several types of cadences derived from this pattern, including the imperfect cadence, the half close and the deceptive cadence. You can review these in the earlier chapter on cadences.

While the Basic Cadence Pattern is quite common, it is only one of many possible cadence arrangements. We will see some minor variations in this chapter. Derivations are studied fully in a later chapter.