Cadenssit

Cadenssit are harmonic and melodic devices in music theory that create a sense of closure or pause at the end of a phrase, section, or piece. The term cadenssit is the Finnish plural form of kadenssi, widely used when discussing tonal harmony in Finnish-language texts; in English-language sources the term cadence covers the same idea. Cadences can be classified by their final sonority and function.

Common cadences include: perfect authentic cadence (PAC), a strong closing that moves from the dominant (V) to the tonic (I) with both chords in root position and the tonic in the melody; imperfect authentic cadence (IAC), similar but with imperfect melodic condition such as the tonic not in the soprano; half cadence, which ends on the dominant (V) and sounds unfinished; plagal cadence, typically IV–I, sometimes called the Amen cadence; deceptive cadence, V–vi, which replaces the expected I with the submediant to create surprise. There are also modal and phrygian variants in minor keys, and many composers create cadence patterns that combine multiple phrases.

Function and use: cadenssit provide musical punctuation, indicate formal boundaries, and help establish or reinforce tonal center. They vary with style and period; in baroque and classical music they follow well-established conventions, while in romantic and contemporary music, composers may extend or disguise cadential function for expressive effect. In popular music, cadential progressions often rely on simple patterns and rhythmic placement to signal closure.