Cadence is the human-made concept of a chord or note sequence that produces a sense of resolution or temporary pause within a musical phrase. Its parameters are: (1) a progression of two or more harmonically related chords, (2) a characteristic final chord that determines the quality of closure (full, half, or deceptive), (3) a metric placement that signals the phrase boundary. Its persistence mechanism is music theory pedagogy — taught systematically in harmony and analysis curricula, notated in scores, and internalized through compositional training across conservatories and traditions. [formal: cadentia | substrate: mind | horizon: a life | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
cadence
Cadence is the human-made concept of a chord or note sequence that produces a sense of resolution or temporary pause within a musical phrase. Its parameters are: (1) a progression of two or more harmonically related chords, (2) a character…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made musical concept describing sequences of chords or notes that create a sense of resolution or pause within a musical phrase. Distinct from melody (horizontal pitch succession) and harmony (vertical pitch combination): cadence is the grammar of musical closure, encoding rules for how phrases end — whether with finality (authentic cadence), suspension (half cadence), or surprise (deceptive cadence). Built to persist through music theory pedagogy, notation systems, and compositional practice.
Names and aliases
- cadenceen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrgfpjv3000ss6jl58d8ggmhINSTANCE_OF →
cadence IS a specific kind of rhythm — the measured flow or sequence of sounds in speech or music. The competent-speaker test passes: 'cadence is a rhythm.' Rhythm is the nearest kind.
- cms69wfhk00fm5ygs7pupy8wnDEPENDS_ON →
Cadence is a harmonic progression that establishes or temporarily rejects tonal resolution. Remove the concept of harmony and cadence has nothing to measure — it ceases to operate (Law 8 removal test). Harmony is the system of pitches that cadence navigates; cadence operates as a moment within that system. This is an operational dependency, not a shared condition of conceptuality (Law 2b).
Relations to this entry
- cms3mcgz3002yl3bmg1bbxqzj← SERVES
A metronome is built and maintained for the sake of cadence — its sole designed purpose is to produce and sustain a steady rhythmic pulse. Per Law 8d, the servant (metronome) points at the master (cadence). Remove cadence as a target and the metronome loses its function entirely.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 29, 2026, 4:10 PM UTC
- Content hash
- 4902cc172764b824a0c431f3c6a6609908e0aba9845797cc2b64d67ebe8a9fc7