Identify the roman-numeral progression used for a plagal cadence (Amen).

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Multiple Choice

Identify the roman-numeral progression used for a plagal cadence (Amen).

The plagal cadence centers on moving from the subdominant to the tonic, giving that calm, Amen-like feel. In a major key this is IV progressing to I, and in a minor key it’s iv moving to i. This pattern is exactly the Amen cadence, providing a soft sense of closure without the strong pull of a dominant-to-tonic resolution. The other progressions don’t match this subdominant-to-tonic move: I-V ends on the dominant and sounds more active; ii-V leads toward V as a dominant preparation; VI-III doesn’t establish the familiar Amen cadence. So the appropriate plagal type is IV-I, or iv-i in minor.

The plagal cadence centers on moving from the subdominant to the tonic, giving that calm, Amen-like feel. In a major key this is IV progressing to I, and in a minor key it’s iv moving to i. This pattern is exactly the Amen cadence, providing a soft sense of closure without the strong pull of a dominant-to-tonic resolution. The other progressions don’t match this subdominant-to-tonic move: I-V ends on the dominant and sounds more active; ii-V leads toward V as a dominant preparation; VI-III doesn’t establish the familiar Amen cadence. So the appropriate plagal type is IV-I, or iv-i in minor.

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