Deep Music Theory

Question

Explain 'Picardy 3rd'....what is it? How are they used? When did they initially come into usage? Etc...

Answer 1

A Picardy third or Picardy cadence is the resolution of the tonic to major where the key is minor implying modal interchange from the relative major.

Answer 2

A Picardy 3rd is a practice from early music indicating a cadence...end of the performance. The music was typically in a minor key. The final chord changed to a major key thus signaling the end of the performance. Early music and performance practices are fascinating to study.

Answer 3

In general... It's the art of ending a song or section (in a Minor key) with a Major Chord! Where you're trending to expect the Fine in the Minor, yet it concludes with a Major instead!

Very pleasing to the ears in my opinion...!