Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom

A common term in music theory—the “cadential six-four” (or cadential ${}_4^6$)—is used to refer to the ${\text{I}}_4^6$ that regularly proceeds the $\text{V}$ chord in cadences.

It is worth remembering that the cadential ${}_4^6$ (or ${\text{I}}_4^6$) has dominant function, just like the $\text{V}$ chord that usually follows it. Previously, we have called this chord “$\text{I}/\text{5th}$.”

We will use the term “cadential six-four” throughout the rest of this text, now that figured bass has been introduced.