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Tchaikovsky, Guide to the Practical Study of Harmony

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky · section 36 of 36

Chapter XXXIV. Cadences (closes)

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§ 139. In conclusion let us complete and systematize our knowledge of the different cadences, our treatment of which has hitherto been but fragmentary.

Complete close (authentic). Half close and Deceptive cadence.

The complete close consists of the harmonies of dominant and tonic. If both these chords appear in fundamental form, and the tonic triad moreover in octave position, the cadence is called perfect; otherwise it is termed imperfect.

Example 352
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When the fundamental (in the Bass) of the Dominant resolves into a degree other than that of the tonic, we have a deceptive cadence.

Example 353
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The Half-close is a full close reversed; the first chord of the Half-close is the tonic triad or some chord of the subdominant group; this is followed by the dominant-triad.

Example 354
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In addition to these closes there is the so-called Plagal or Church close, which was mentioned in an earlier chapter.

A further knowledge of cadences must be sought in the treatises on mu- ‘sical torm.