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The Concepts of Music (core framework)
Quick questions on Harmony, cadences and progressions: HSC Music pitch
3short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are common progressions?Show answer
Tonal and popular music recycle a small set of progressions. The I-IV-V-I progression is the backbone of tonal harmony. The I-V-vi-IV progression underpins countless pop songs. The ii-V-I progression is the foundation of jazz harmony.
What are cadences?Show answer
A cadence is a harmonic punctuation point that closes a phrase. The perfect (authentic) cadence, V to I, sounds finished, like a full stop. The plagal cadence, IV to I, is the gentle "Amen" close. The imperfect (half) cadence ends on V, sounding unfinished, like a comma that needs continuation.
What is writing about harmony?Show answer
Be specific about chords and resolutions. Instead of "the harmony sounds tense then resolves", write "a dominant seventh creates tension that resolves to the tonic in a perfect cadence, closing the phrase". Tie harmonic events to the structure where you can.
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