What chords are in the Authentic cadence in C major?

In C major the Authentic cadence is G – C. The same numerals give D – G in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.

How long is the Authentic cadence?

Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 2 chords is 2 bars of 4/4. Loop it to keep the harmony going under a verse or a solo.

Authentic cadence — Chords in Every Key, Songs & How It Works

StyleKeyInstrumentTempo100 BPMLoop

Authentic cadence
V – I
1. G
2. C
in C major · 4 beats per chord
Pachelbel progression
I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V
1. C
2. G
3. Am
4. Em
5. F
6. C
7. F
8. G
in C major · 2 beats per chord
Used in: Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel) · Basket Case (Green Day) · Go West (Pet Shop Boys)
Chords in every key →
Circle-of-fifths sequence
I – IV – vii° – iii – vi – ii – V – I
1. C
2. F
3. Bdim
4. Em
5. Am
6. Dm
7. G
8. C
in C major · 2 beats per chord
Chords in every key →
Plagal cadence
IV – I
1. F
2. C
in C major · 4 beats per chord
Chords in every key →
Deceptive cadence
V – vi
1. G
2. Am
in C major · 4 beats per chord
Chords in every key →

Samples: Salamander Grand Piano (CC-BY 3.0)

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Authentic cadence — how it works

The Authentic cadence is the strongest way to end a phrase: the dominant’s leading tone rises a half step to the tonic and its root falls a fifth, so the arrival sounds final — the full stop of tonal harmony.

It moves from the dominant (V) to the tonic (I) and then repeats. Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 2 chords is 2 bars of 4/4.

In C major the chords are G – C; in G major they are D – G. Press play above to hear the progression, then pick the key that fits your voice or your song and set the tempo you want to practise at.

The Authentic cadence in every key

The numerals stay the same; only the chords change. Find your key below, or pick it in the player above to hear it.

Key	Chords
C major	G – C
D♭ major	A♭ – D♭
D major	A – D
E♭ major	B♭ – E♭
E major	B – E
F major	C – F
F♯ major	C♯ – F♯
G major	D – G
A♭ major	E♭ – A♭
A major	E – A
B♭ major	F – B♭
B major	F♯ – B

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the Authentic cadence in C major?: In C major the Authentic cadence is G – C. The same numerals give D – G in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.
What are the roman numerals for the Authentic cadence?: The Authentic cadence is V–I — also called the perfect cadence and V–I. The Authentic cadence is the strongest way to end a phrase: the dominant’s leading tone rises a half step to the tonic and its root falls a fifth, so the arrival sounds final — the full stop of tonal harmony.
How long is the Authentic cadence?: Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 2 chords is 2 bars of 4/4. Loop it to keep the harmony going under a verse or a solo.