Part I

The Cadential Six-Four Chord

Cadential 6-4 examples 


      Model 1                        Model 2

       E  -  D  ( 6-5)               E  -  D  ( 6-5)
       C  -  B  ( 4-3)               C  -  B  ( 4-3)
       G  -  G                       G  -  F  ( 8-7)
----  ---------                      ---------
Bass:  G  -  -                       G  -  -
       6  -  5                       8  -  7
C +:  V4  -  3                      V6  -  5
                                     4  -  3

As its name suggests, the cadential six-four chord is found at perfect, imperfect, and deceptive cadences. This harmony consists of a V chord in root position with two appoggiaturas a fourth and a sixth above the bass. These dissonances resolve downwards by step into chord tones.

Do not confuse this dominant chord with a I chord in second inversion. The V designates the root of the chord. The 8-7, 6-5 and 4-3 are identifying the intervals above the bass.

Model 1 can be used in both perfect and imperfect cadences, while Model 2 can be used in perfect cadences.

Generate the first part of the chord by:

  1. doubling the bass note of the chord, that is, the root of V
  2. adding a 4th above the bass
  3. adding a 6th above the bass

The 6th and 4th each move downwards by step to form V. The octave above the bass can also move down by step, forming V7 if the chord progession continues on to I.

The cadential six-four chord can be approached by any chord that can come before V. This chord is found extensively throughout the Common Practice Period repertoire and can be used often in your part writing.