What is the difference between a perfect cadence and a plagal cadence?

Although both a perfect cadence and a plagal cadence resolve to a I chord, they have very different effects. A perfect cadence resolves V-I, while a plagal cadence resolves IV-I. The vast majority of art music resolves using cadences from V, while the plagal cadence is most common in hymns. For this reason, it is often colloquially called the "Amen cadence". The plagal cadence is uncommon in tonal music as it does not establish tonality as clearly as a movement from V to I does. Even in hymns, a plagal cadence often follows a perfect cadence! 

RB
Answered by Rachel B. Music tutor

10523 Views

See similar Music GCSE tutors

Related Music GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain the major and minor keys using the circle of fifths.


Explain how Beethoven achieves a sense of drama in the extract from the first movement of Piano Sonata no. 8, 'Pathétique.


What are the key musical and historical features that distinguish 'the blues' from other musical genre?


Describe what is meant by the following musical textures: 1) homophonic, 2) polyphonic, 3) call and response.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning