A deceptive cadence commonly involves which progression?

• A. V to I
• B. V to VI
• C. IV to I
• D. I to VI

Answer: (B)

A deceptive cadence happens when the dominant chord resolves to something other than the tonic, creating a surprise in the progression. In major keys, the most common destination is the VI chord, so moving from V to VI gives that familiar deceptive effect: the dominant’s strong pull toward I is not fulfilled, and instead the music lands on the relative minor’s triad, often changing mood and delaying final resolution. If it went to I, you’d hear a decisive authentic cadence, which ends the progression. If it moved IV to I, that’s a plagal-like resolution toward tonic, not a deception. If you start on I and go to VI, there’s no dominant force prompting a mistaken expectation to begin with. So the V to VI movement best embodies the deceptive cadence.