In
Western musical theory, a
cadence (Latin
cadentia, "a falling") is "a melodic or
harmonic configuration that creates a sense of
resolution [finality or pause]." A
harmonic cadence is a
progression of (at least) two
chords that
concludes a
phrase,
section, or
piece of
music. A
rhythmic cadence is a characteristic
rhythmic pattern that indicates the end of a phrase. A cadence is labeled more or less "weak" or "strong" depending on its sense of finality. While cadences are usually classified by specific chord or
melodic progressions, the use of such progressions does not necessarily constitute a cadence—there must be a sense of closure, as at the end of a phrase.
Harmonic rhythm plays an important part in determining where a cadence occurs.