Four ways for a phrase to land
The dominant asks a question
A cadence is how a phrase ends — and most endings hinge on chord V, which leans hard toward home. The same approach can land four different ways. Press each ending and watch the ball: where it comes to rest is the cadence.
Choose an ending
All four start the same way: I – IV – then the fork.
What to listen for
Perfect is the full stop: the question answered, the ball home in the well. Plagal also lands home, but gently from the side — the “A-men” ending. Imperfect stops on the question: the ball hangs at the rim, and the music must go on. Interrupted promises home and steps aside onto vi — the ball drops onto a ledge that is not the bottom.