key term - Cadential extension

Definition

A cadential extension is a compositional technique that lengthens the cadence of a musical phrase, often occurring just before the final resolution to the tonic. This extension can create a sense of anticipation or tension, enhancing the emotional impact of the music. It often utilizes secondary dominant chords to create brief tonicizations, giving the listener the feeling of moving away from the established key before returning to it.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cadential extensions can add emotional depth and dramatic tension to music by elongating the moment before resolution.
2. This technique often involves the use of chromatic harmony or altered chords to enrich the sound during the extension.
3. Cadential extensions frequently occur in classical music but can be found in various genres, including jazz and pop.
4. Composers may use cadential extensions to create rhythmic variations, making the return to the tonic more satisfying.
5. The length of a cadential extension can vary widely, from just a few measures to several phrases, depending on the intended effect.

Review Questions

• How does a cadential extension enhance the emotional impact of a musical phrase?
  • A cadential extension enhances emotional impact by extending the moment before a musical resolution, creating tension and anticipation in the listener. By elongating this moment, composers can manipulate the listener's expectations and emotions, making the eventual return to the tonic feel more rewarding. This technique often utilizes secondary dominants, which adds richness and complexity to the harmonic progression, further deepening the emotional experience.
• In what ways can secondary dominant chords contribute to the effectiveness of a cadential extension?
  • Secondary dominant chords play a crucial role in cadential extensions by temporarily tonicizing other chords within a progression. This shift creates an engaging harmonic journey for the listener as it leads them away from the established key before resolving back to the tonic. By incorporating secondary dominants into a cadential extension, composers can create a more dynamic and interesting harmonic texture, increasing both tension and anticipation prior to resolution.
• Evaluate how cadential extensions have been utilized across different musical genres and their significance in shaping listener experience.
  • Cadential extensions are utilized across various musical genres, from classical compositions to modern pop songs. In classical music, they serve to heighten drama and emotional depth in orchestral pieces. In jazz, musicians might employ these extensions to create improvisational tension before resolving themes. The significance lies in their ability to engage listeners by manipulating time and expectation within music, making these extensions an essential tool for composers and performers aiming to connect with their audience on a deeper level.

Related terms

Secondary Dominant Chord: A chord that functions as a dominant to a diatonic chord other than the tonic, temporarily tonicizing that chord and creating a momentary shift in harmony.

Tonicization:

The process of temporarily emphasizing a chord other than the tonic as if it were the tonal center, often achieved through the use of secondary dominants.

Plagal Cadence:

A type of cadence that moves from the subdominant (IV) to the tonic (I), often described as an 'Amen' cadence, providing a softer resolution.