The Authentic Cadence
V → I
An authentic cadence is the chord progression V → I: the dominant chord resolving to the tonic. It is the strongest, most conclusive way to end a phrase in tonal music. When both chords are in root position and the melody lands on the tonic, it is a Perfect Authentic Cadence (PAC) — the standard ending for a piece.
Hear the Authentic Cadence
Press play to hear the cadence resolve, then change the key to hear it move — the pattern is the same in every key. The Roman numerals below the keys show the harmony.
How It Works
The power of the authentic cadence comes from the dominant chord (V). It contains the leading tone — the seventh degree of the scale, a half step below the tonic — which pulls strongly upward to resolve. In C major, the V chord is G major (G–B–D); the B is the leading tone that wants to rise to C.
When the V moves to I, the leading tone resolves up to the tonic and the fifth of the V falls to the tonic or third of the I. This tight, satisfying voice-leading is what makes the cadence feel finished. Adding a seventh to the dominant (V7 → I) makes the pull even stronger, because the seventh resolves down by step as well.
Play It in C Major
The two chords of the cadence, spelled in C:
How to Recognize It
Look for a dominant chord (built on the fifth scale degree) landing on the tonic chord at the end of a phrase. If both are in root position and the top voice ends on the tonic note, it is a Perfect Authentic Cadence. If a chord is inverted or the melody ends on the third or fifth, it is an Imperfect Authentic Cadence (IAC) — still conclusive, but softer.
When It’s Used
The authentic cadence is the default ending for phrases, sections, and whole pieces across the common-practice era. Composers from Bach to Beethoven close major works with a Perfect Authentic Cadence, and it remains the most common resolution in hymns, folk tunes, jazz standards, and pop songs alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a perfect and imperfect authentic cadence?
Both are V → I. It is "perfect" (PAC) when both chords are in root position and the melody ends on the tonic. Weaken any of those conditions — invert a chord, or end the melody on the third or fifth — and it becomes "imperfect" (IAC): still conclusive, but less final.
Is a V7 → I still an authentic cadence?
Yes. Adding the seventh to the dominant (making it a dominant seventh chord) strengthens the pull to the tonic without changing the cadence type. It is still an authentic cadence, just a more emphatic one.
Why does the authentic cadence sound so final?
The dominant chord contains the leading tone, a half step below the tonic, which resolves upward with strong momentum. That voice-leading, plus the root motion of a falling fifth, gives the ear an unmistakable sense of arrival.