The Daily Book of Classical Music

DAY 167

MUSIC THEORY

Cadences

MUSIC’S TRAFFIC LIGHT

When chords change from one to another, it’s called a “harmonic progression,” a “chord progression,” or simply “changes.” (This last term is from the jazz and pop world.)

The chord change from IV to I or V to I at the end of a section or a piece is called a “cadence.” Cadences, like modes, chords, and other aspects of music, have several forms, but share one thing: They bring the music back to a point of rest, almost always on the tonic chord. Cadences claim more of the listener’s attention when they occur at a climactic point.

To hear what a dominant-tonic chord progression sounds like, ...