2.5 Check For Understanding

What is the purpose of a cadence chord?

1. To begin a chord progression
2. To finish a chord progression and set up a strong pull back home to the I chord so the song can begin a new phrase or idea.
3. To add a minor sound to the chord progression

Which two chords that we’ve learned can be cadence chords?

1. I and V
2. vi and V
3. IV and I
4. V and IV

What is the main difference between V and IV as cadence chords?

1. IV is stronger than V
2. V is stronger than IV
3. There is no difference

Here are the chords to “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers written in Db Major

Using the following example with the key selector, what are the chords to “Mr. Brightside” in relative notation?

1. IV → I → vi → V
2. I → V → iv → IV
3. iv → I → IV → V
4. I → IV → vi → V

There are two cadences in “Mr. Brightside”. In both cases, what cadence chord is used?

1. IV
2. V
3. vi

Db is a terrible key for guitarists (especially if they have misplaced their capo). Often times when a song is in a difficult key, we would like to rewrite it in a different (and preferably easier) key to play on an instrument. This is known as transposition.

What are the chords to “Mr. Brightside” in the key of G Major? (Hint: use the above example with the key selector to help you with the conversion)

1. G → D → em → C
2. G → C → am → D
3. G → C → em → D
4. G → D → C → em

Now let’s take a look at the chorus of “Who Knew” by Pink, written in A Major.

What are the chords to this section in relative notation?

1. IV → I → vi → I
2. IV → vi → I → V
3. V → vi → IV → I
4. IV → V → vi → I

Notice that the IV → V → vi → I group is repeated three times in a row but not a fourth time. Ending with vi going to I works fine in the middle of a passage, but it’s not a good way to end a progression. This is what cadence chords are used for. Remember: to end the musical idea strongly a IV or V should be used. The composer chooses to replace the vi with a I so the preceding V can function as a cadence chord to it.