deceptive cadence

noun

Music.

1. a cadence consisting of a dominant harmony followed by a resolution to a harmony other than the tonic.

Example Sentences

Deceptive Cadence — This refers to times that the music seems to lead up to a cadence, but then doesn't actually land on the expected tonic, and also often does not bring the expected pause in the music.

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False Cadence — Same as deceptive cadence.

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Interrupted Cadence — Same as deceptive cadence.

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Ralph’s accompaniment is as spare as a prison cell: A lone piano, sounding naked notes with the occasional deceptive cadence.

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NPR’s Deceptive Cadence blog on “l’affaire marimbaire.”

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