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]

Plagal cadence in C major.

History

As early as the early 16th century, German music theorists described the plagal cadence as a clausula formalis (formal close)^{[citation needed]}. 18th century music theorists including Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers, Charles Masson, and Jean-Philippe Rameau analyzed the cadence, calling it a cadence imparfaite (imperfect cadence) or cadence irreguliére (irregular cadence).^[4][3] Charles-Henri de Blainville coined the term plagal cadence in his Essay sur un troisieme mode.^[4]

In 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

F minor chord (pictured) resolving to C.

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 cadence was recognized as early as the 1670s, with Wolfgang Caspar Printz coining the term clausula formalis perfecta dissecta acquiescens (dissected acquiescent perfect formal close) to describe the cadence.^[4] The minor iv appears in many popular songs, including "Space Oddity" by David Bowie (in which it proceeds the tonic chord), "Don't Look Back in Anger" by Oasis, and "Crying" by Roy Orbison.

F minor major seventh chord (pictured) resolving to C.

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]