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Plagal Cadence for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: 'pleɪɡəl_'keɪdəns

What does Plagal Cadence really mean?

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Hey there! So, you're curious about what "Plagal Cadence" means, right? Well, no problem at all! I'll break it down for you in the simplest way possible.

Okay, let's start with the word "cadence." Imagine you're taking a walk - sometimes, you walk in a specific rhythm, right? Your steps might have a certain pattern, like left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. That's a rhythm, or cadence, for your walking. Now, in music, cadence refers to a specific pattern or combination of chords that give a sense of resolution or completion to a piece of music. It's like a musical ending that makes you feel satisfied and content.

Now, let's add the word "plagal" to the mix. Imagine you have two different paths to take on your walk. One path may be shorter and quicker, while the other path might be longer but more scenic. The shorter path is like a melodic or harmonic expectation in music - it's what you might expect to hear. But the longer, more scenic path is like a plagal cadence - it takes a little detour from what's expected, adding a touch of surprise or variation to the musical journey.

So, putting it all together, a plagal cadence is a specific chord progression that adds a unique twist to the end of a musical phrase or piece. Instead of following the expected chord progression, it takes a bit of a detour, creating a different kind of resolution that still feels satisfying.

To summarize, a plagal cadence is like taking a scenic detour on your musical journey, adding a touch of surprise and variation to the ending. It's a specific chord progression that gives a sense of completion and satisfaction in a slightly unexpected way.

Hope that makes sense! Feel free to ask any more questions if you'd like. Learning new things can be exciting!

Revised and Fact checked by David Wilson on 2023-10-29 20:56:22

Plagal Cadence In a sentece

Learn how to use Plagal Cadence inside a sentece

  • When a song ends with a 'happy' sounding chord progression, like going from the IV to the I chord, it is called a plagal cadence.
  • In some church hymns, the ending 'amen' is sung to a plagal cadence, giving it a peaceful and comforting feeling.
  • Imagine you are playing a simple song on the piano and you finish it by playing the chords F to C - that's a plagal cadence!
  • During a choir performance, the singers may end a song by holding a long note while the accompaniment plays a plagal cadence, creating a sense of resolution and closure.
  • You can find plagal cadences not only in classical music but also in popular songs, like in the ending of 'Let It Be' by The Beatles, where they go from the IV to the I chord.

Plagal Cadence Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Plagal Cadence Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.