Cadences in minor
Build and hear the cadences of a minor key, with both the major and the minor dominant.
Two dominants
In natural minor the dominant is minor. A cadence with it sounds soft and archaic, like old and folk melodies.
In harmonic minor the dominant is major: it holds the leading note, and the cadence gets the same strength as in major. So minor-key cadences normally use this one. Roman numerals show the difference: the minor tonic and subdominant in lower case (i, iv), the major dominant in capitals (V).
A minor: minor dominant → tonic, major dominant → tonic
The same progressions: soft and decisive
Practice: Which dominant?
Practice: Major or minor by ear
Four cadences in minor
The cadences in minor are the same as in major:
- authentic V → i, with the major dominant;
- plagal iv → i, the minor subdominant leading to the tonic;
- half, stopping on V;
- deceptive V → VI, a major triad on degree VI instead of the tonic.
Note that in the deceptive cadence of minor degree VI is major, while in major it is minor. Replacing the tonic turns the colour to its opposite.
A minor: plagal, half and deceptive cadences
The leading note is easy to spot on the staff: it is the accidental on degree VII. If you see it in the second-to-last chord, that chord is the dominant of harmonic minor.