Rondo (W.A. Mozart)
Theory Trainer
Exercise 16aCadence drawing.Plagal Cadence
Plagal cadencesare used less frequently as final cadences in a piece or a large section of music. The final chord
is the tonic preceded by the subdominant (IV–I). This is sometimes called the “Amen” cadence because of its
use at the end of hymns. Listen to your instructor play the following plagal cadences.
Notice:
- In a major key, the plagal cadence is IV–I, both chords are major.
- In a minor key, the plagal cadence is iv–i; both chords are minor.
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MODULE 16