Plagal cadence
In music theory, a plagal cadence is a type of harmonic cadence in which the subdominant chord moves directly to the tonic chord.[1] It is also sometimes called the Amen cadence due to its prevalence at the ending of hymns, particularly those published between the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries.[2][3] The plagal cadence has been described of having a "sad" sound, as opposed to the authentic cadence's more "lively" resolution.[3]
History
As early as the early 16th century, German music theorists described the plagal cadence as a Script error: No such module "Lang". (formal close)Script error: No such module "Unsubst".. 18th century music theorists including Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers, Charles Masson, and Jean-Philippe Rameau analyzed the cadence, calling it a Script error: No such module "Lang". (imperfect cadence) or Script error: No such module "Lang". (irregular cadence).[4][3] Charles-Henri de Blainville coined the term plagal cadence in his Script error: No such module "Lang"..[4]
Modern use
Plagal cadences are commonly used in rock music: the IV chord is the most common chord proceeding the tonic in rock music other than the tonic itself. Modern rock songs that utilize a plagal cadence include "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson, "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Hound Dog" by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and "In My Life" by The Beatles.[5] The fourth and sixth scale degrees, which are used in the IV chord, are rarely treated as stable in rock music.[6]
Variations
Minor plagal cadence
A minor plagal cadence is a type of plagal cadence which uses a minor iv instead of the typical major IV before resolving to the I chord. The minor plagal cadence was recognized as early as the 1670s, with Wolfgang Caspar Printz coining the term Script error: No such module "Lang". (dissected acquiescent perfect formal close) to describe the cadence.[4] The minor plagal cadence appears in many popular songs, including "Space Oddity" by David Bowie, "Don't Look Back in Anger" by Oasis, and "Crying" by Roy Orbison.
The minor-major seventh version of the iv chord is often used in major-key songs, such as "It's My Party" by Lesley Gore, "Magical Mystery Tour" by The Beatles, and "Vision of Love" by Mariah Carey.[6]
References
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