Consequent

What it means

The consequent is the second part of a period. It answers the antecedent, which usually ends with an open close, and brings the musical thought to a conclusion. The two parts are often of equal length, in classical music usually four bars.

Musical use

In the model case the consequent begins like the antecedent but is then continued differently and closes with an authentic cadence, whereas the antecedent ends on a half cadence. This creates the impression of question and answer. Periods of this kind shape themes by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven and many folk songs.

The consequent should be distinguished from the antecedent, which poses the question, from the period as a whole unit, and from a subordinate phrase: the consequent is the concluding, answering part of a larger unit.

Performance practice

Shape the consequent as an answer: build a slight tension in the antecedent and release it in the consequent. At the end let the phrase die away with a calmer sound and a little more weight.