Plagal cadence
Plagal cadence · also called the amen cadence, IV–I
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The Plagal cadence closes from the subdominant instead of the dominant, a gentler, more open arrival without a leading tone — it is the "A-men" sung at the end of hymns.
It moves from the subdominant (IV) 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 F – C; in G major they are C – 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 Plagal 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 | F – C |
| D♭ major | G♭ – D♭ |
| D major | G – D |
| E♭ major | A♭ – E♭ |
| E major | A – E |
| F major | B♭ – F |
| F♯ major | B – F♯ |
| G major | C – G |
| A♭ major | D♭ – A♭ |
| A major | D – A |
| B♭ major | E♭ – B♭ |
| B major | E – B |
Frequently asked questions
- What chords are in the Plagal cadence in C major?
- In C major the Plagal cadence is F – C. The same numerals give C – G in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.
- What are the roman numerals for the Plagal cadence?
- The Plagal cadence is IV–I — also called the amen cadence and IV–I. The Plagal cadence closes from the subdominant instead of the dominant, a gentler, more open arrival without a leading tone — it is the "A-men" sung at the end of hymns.
- How long is the Plagal 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.