perfect cadence

American  

noun

Music.

1. a cadence in which the tonic chord has its root in both bass and soprano.

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Etymology

Origin of perfect cadence

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

That meant nailing the perfect cadence and pressure each time.

From The Verge • May 6, 2022

On a normal bike you want to find the perfect cadence that balances effort and speed.

From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2011

They remained there, tucked into his memory, deep within a cave of abstract thoughts: information and ideas about pawns and squares to be used, discarded, or ignored—all in perfect cadence and synchronicity.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Part I is an unusually regular double-period, with three semicadences and a strong perfect cadence, on the original tonic, to mark its conclusion; the double-bar is an additional confirmation of the end of the Part.

From Lessons in Music Form A Manual of Analysis of All the Structural Factors and Designs Employed in Musical Composition by Goetschius, Percy

In order to preserve the continuity of the three phrases, it is evident that the second phrase must also close with a semicadence,—the perfect cadence being deferred until the last phrase is concluded.

From Lessons in Music Form A Manual of Analysis of All the Structural Factors and Designs Employed in Musical Composition by Goetschius, Percy