Half cadence
Half cadence: stopping on the dominant V preserves tension and calls for continuation
Theory
General info
- Name
- Half cadence
- Cadence type
- Half
- Sequence
- IVV
- Chord count
- 2
Cadence composition in G
Construction logic
A half cadence is any cadential progression ending on dominant V, such as I – V or IV – V. Stopping on unresolved dominant creates an open phrase boundary. In a period, a half cadence often closes the antecedent and an authentic cadence the consequent.
How it sounds
An open, inconclusive sound. Stopping on dominant preserves functional tension and prepares continuation.
Harmonic functions
- Why it works
- The final dominant V retains the leading tone and receives no tonic resolution. The phrase boundary therefore sounds open and prepares continuation.
Tensions & resolutions
Harmonic context
First phrase of a period, middle of a verse, building tension before a chorus, bridge sections.
Variants & extensions
I-V, ii-V, IV-V, vi-V — all variants of the half cadence. In minor: iv-V, i-V. The Phrygian half cadence (iv⁶-V) is a special type with a characteristic half-step bass motion.
This cadence on guitar 🎸
See how Half cadence looks on guitar.
Application in music
Genres & styles
Examples in songs
- Star Wars Main ThemeJohn Williams
- Für EliseBeethoven
- Bohemian RhapsodyQueen
- Eine Kleine NachtmusikMozart
- YesterdayThe Beatles
Practice
- Play the IV → V cadence in G major: C → D.
- Transpose it to other keys while preserving the scale-degree formula and voice leading.
- Stop before the final chord, then compare the unresolved and complete versions.
- Play with a metronome — start at 60 BPM and gradually reach 120.
- Alternate this cadence with other types to train your ear.
- Sing the bass notes of the chords to better feel the harmonic motion.