Which cadence is V followed by anything other than I, often resolving to vi minor?

• A. I-V
• B. V to anything but I (usually vi minor)
• C. IV-I
• D. V-I

Answer: (B)

Deceptive cadence. In tonal harmony the dominant chord has a strong pull to resolve to the tonic, creating a sense of closure. When the harmony after the dominant moves to anything other than the tonic, the expected resolution is avoided and the listener experiences a surprising turn. The most common alternative is to move to the vi chord, which in a major key is a minor chord built on the sixth scale degree. This choice keeps the music moving forward and adds a color change by shifting into a minor area, while typically letting the phrase continue or set up a return to the tonic later. So V followed by something other than I—most often vi minor—embodies the idea of a deceptive cadence.