Why Cadences are Crucial for How Music Feels

Musical examples from Breath of the Wild of the thing beginning composers don't pay enough attention to: cadences.

_____________________________________
FOR MUSICIANS
*OUTSTANDING* composition courses including “Orchestrating the Line” which completely changed my approach to writing music.

Master the Score

The ABSOLUTE BEST way to learn how to use a synthesizer. It makes learning how to program a synth feel like a video game!

Where I get my background music (awesome for YouTubers).

STAY IN TOUCH

GEAR I USE EVERY DAY

This video explores the importance of cadences in music composition, breaking them down into three categories: authentic cadences (perfect and imperfect), half cadences, and deceptive cadences. We look at examples from the game 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' and learn how to use them to create balance, tension, and surprise. We also explore how to use a deceptive cadence and how to create a powerful resolution.

#musictheory #composition #cadence

________
PS: Some links may be affiliate links which I receive a small kickback at no extra cost to you.

[rasmusn.e.m]

Dude, ending on a diminished chord is such a chad move! For real though, that sounded awesome!

[DJVipFlash]

02:27 "Ravioli's Theme" I love it

[_mickmccarthy]

The BotW soundtrack is utterly wonderful, always happy to see videos discussing it!

Edit: Not sure if was autocorrect or just shots fired at Revali (perfectly warranted IMO), but that's a great typo at 2:27!

[taxtengo]

I'm happy that you touched upon the rhythmic side of cadences. I feel that rhythm and form should be much more central themes in today's (beginner) music theory discourse.

[zachary]

That resolution to the diminished chord was surprisingly powerful and gut wrenching. Nice.

[PrestonThePianist]

I greatly appreciate you showing both the sheet music and piano visualizer when demonstrating the pieces of music! Makes playing along and analyzing the songs so much easier.

[tabby]

Notably, the D-flat chord you referenced is better analyzed as an inverted G7 chord with flat 3rd and 5th, which shows why we parse it as a dominant.

[cameroncavender]

This is by far the greatest and most helpful explanation of cadences I've ever seen

[cfthompson]

Always appreciate any analysis of Zelda music I can get!

[Minewitcher]

I'm so glad BOTW is getting the recognition of how amazing its music is!! <3

[danvince]

That last chord in Daruk's Theme is basically a minor key Neapolitan Chord (except the 3rd is usually in the bass) which in Classical music is usually used to set up the Dominant.
bIImaj7#11 is also a common voicing in flamenco, though it's usually Fmaj7#11.

[mbaldwinlobue]

I agree with Derek elsewhere in the comments, your production and editing keep getting better and better. You found non-generative alternatives for visual interest, really well done. I particularly enjoyed the image from the "Sending Bokos to Outerspace" video (a pretty fun video also 🙂) and just perfectly placed in your narrative. Also, the care with which you chose the clips from the BOTW shows both the time you took and how well you know that game, lol. I also really appreciate the time you take to respond to questions and comments, even giving links to where folks can find things like the OST from Final Fantasy. Lastly, thanks for doing a good job of calling out the material you pull inspiration and info from, like Alan Belkin's work and in this video Cedric Davie's Musical Structure and Design. You are really helping to fill out my music library and source materials for study.

[xenoriki]

The long awaited Cadence video <3
Thanks Ryan for this one !

[niwona_]

This is great. I would love to see a video on some of the best fighting game music composers and marrying playstyle to composition

[habama]

Not much to say, other than: Great video.
Informative, well articulated and presented, neatly edited with both visual and audio demonstrations.
Well paced, assumed just the right amount of knowledge to go into the topic.

[mrcet]

This is a great reminder video! Thanks.

I’m currently writing a short, vaguely-Sonata-like-form movement for wind quintet. Truthfully, it’s intended much more just as an exercise for learning Dorico than a “serious composition.”

However, its harmonic movement is faster than usual for me. There are cadences, but they don’t really rest much. The “temporary stasis” is more “temporary” than “stasis”!

However, that’s evolved into something of a secondary goal for this composition, so I’m finding myself learning about more than just Dorico!

[KcDaugirdas]

It's been inspiring to see your channel grow so much dude! I enjoy tuning in and seeing what you make. I would say the 2nd cadence example is a stretch for A.C., considering it's a minor v to i... Definitely a different, modal flavor. Though I know you are stretching common practice period analytical language to accommodate a wider range of genres, so maybe some cheating is OK :)

[Bitimi]

Awesome video with easy to understand explanations! It’s awesome to see you use video game music as examples in a lot of your videos.

BOTW has some awesome tunes to choose from, so that’s always a plus.

[BellXllebMusic]

Wow that movie cadence you did sounded amazing

[DereBear]

FanTASTIC editing! Makes the video come to life