Etymology
The word "plagal" is derived from the Greek word "plagios," meaning "oblique" or "slanting."
Meaning
In music, a plagal cadence is a harmonic progression that resolves from a subdominant chord to a tonic chord. It is characterized by a descending stepwise motion in the bass line.
Origin
The plagal cadence originated in the Renaissance period. It was initially used in church music, particularly in the setting of Gregorian chant. The plagal cadence was also commonly used in early polyphonic music, such as madrigals and chansons.
Characteristics
A plagal cadence typically consists of the following harmonic progression:
The bass line descends by step from the root of the subdominant chord to the root of the tonic chord. This descending motion gives the plagal cadence a sense of stability and resolution.
Example
Here is an example of a plagal cadence in the key of C major:
Fmaj7 - G7 - Cmaj7
Uses
The plagal cadence is a common cadence used in a variety of musical styles, including:
It can be used to create a sense of closure or resolution in a musical phrase or section.
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