As a music theory expert, I have a deep understanding of the various harmonic cadences and their roles within musical compositions. Cadences are significant because they provide a sense of closure or a pause within a piece of music. They are the punctuation marks of music that tell the listener when a musical thought has come to an end or is taking a breath.

The IV to V cadence is a particularly important one in Western music. It is a type of plagal cadence, which is characterized by the movement from the subdominant (IV) to the dominant (V) chord. This progression is often used to create a sense of tension or anticipation, as it leads the listener towards the dominant chord, which is a strong point of tension in a key.

The IV chord is the fourth degree of the diatonic scale and typically has a major or minor quality depending on the key of the music. When it moves to the V chord, which is the fifth degree of the scale and is always major in major keys, it creates a strong pull towards the tonic (I) chord. This pull is due to the leading tone (the seventh note of the scale) in the V chord, which naturally wants to resolve up to the tonic.

In minor keys, the IV to V progression can take on a slightly different character. The IV chord in minor is minor, and the V chord is major. This creates a contrast that can be quite expressive. The movement from the IV to the V chord can be seen as a way to intensify the sense of longing or sadness that is often associated with minor keys.

The IV to V cadence is not only used as a final cadence to end a piece, but it can also be used as an intermediate cadence within a phrase. It can serve as a pivot point, allowing the music to modulate to a new key or to return to the original key after a brief departure.

In terms of its function within a composition, the IV to V cadence can be seen as a way to create a sense of forward momentum. It is a common progression in many forms of music, from classical to jazz to popular music. It is a fundamental building block of harmonic structure and is taught early on in music theory education.

It is also worth noting that the IV to V cadence can be part of larger harmonic progressions. For example, it can be followed by a V to I progression to complete a full circle of fifths, which is a common pattern in many styles of music. This creates a strong sense of resolution and closure.

In summary, the IV to V cadence is a fundamental element of Western music theory. It is a plagal cadence that creates tension and anticipation, leading the listener towards a resolution. It is versatile and can be used in various contexts within a composition, from providing a sense of closure to serving as a pivot for modulation or phrase development.

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Harmonic CadencesCadence WorksheetThe half cadence, a comma,I -C V, ii -C V, IV -C V (and more) i -C V, ii-- 6 -C V, iv -C V (in minor)DeceptiveV (7) viV (7) VI (in minor)A deceptive cadence may fool you. -- Like an authentic cadence, resolve 7 to 8.PlagalIV -C Iiv -C i (in minor)12 more rowsread more >>