Plagal cadence

thumb |[[File:Plagal cadence in C.mid Plagal cadence in C major.]]

In music theory, a plagal cadence is a type of harmonic cadence in which the subdominant chord moves directly to the tonic chord. 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. The plagal cadence has been described of having a "sad" sound, as opposed to the authentic cadence's more "lively" resolution.

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. The fourth and sixth scale degrees, which are used in the IV chord, are rarely treated as stable in rock music.

Variations

Minor plagal cadence

thumb |[[File:Minor plagal cadence iv-I.mid|110x110pxF minor chord (pictured) resolving to C.|120x120px]]

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 (dissected acquiescent perfect formal close) to describe the cadence.