PLAGAL CADENCE Meaning and
Definition
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A plagal cadence refers to a type of musical progression that involves the movement from the subdominant harmony to the tonic harmony in a chord progression. It is often characterized by a sense of resolution and closure at the end of a musical phrase or section. The term "plagal" derives from the Greek word "plagios," which means "sideways" or "oblique."
In a plagal cadence, the subdominant chord typically precedes the tonic chord. The subdominant, often represented by the IV chord, is built on the fourth scale degree of the key, while the tonic, represented by the I chord, is built on the first scale degree. This movement from the subdominant to the tonic creates a harmonically satisfying and conclusive sound.
Plagal cadences are commonly found in various music genres, such as classical, gospel, and hymnals. They are often used to conclude musical phrases or to bring a sense of finality to a section of a composition. Due to their inherent sense of resolution, plagal cadences have a calming and soothing effect on the listener.
Overall, a plagal cadence represents a specific chord progression that contributes to the harmonic structure of a piece of music. It is characterized by the movement from the subdominant to the tonic, providing a sense of closure and resolution.
Common Misspellings for PLAGAL CADENCE
- olagal cadence
- llagal cadence
- -lagal cadence
- 0lagal cadence
- pkagal cadence
- ppagal cadence
- poagal cadence
- plzgal cadence
- plsgal cadence
- plwgal cadence
- plqgal cadence
- plafal cadence
- plaval cadence
- plabal cadence
- plahal cadence
- playal cadence
- platal cadence
- plagzl cadence
- plagsl cadence
- plagwl cadence
Etymology of PLAGAL CADENCE
The word "plagal" originates from the Greek word "plagios", which means "sideways" or "oblique". In the field of music theory, a "cadence" refers to the melodic or harmonic progression that marks the end of a phrase, section, or piece of music. Therefore, a "plagal cadence" can be understood as a cadence that moves in a sideward or oblique manner. The term "plagal cadence" was coined in the late 19th century to describe a specific chord progression commonly found in Western music, where a subdominant chord (IV) is followed by a tonic chord (I) in a harmonic resolution.
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