Study of cadences (3)
I believe the answer is:
den
'study' is the definition.
(den can mean an office or study)
'of cadences' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'DEN' is hidden within 'cadences'.
(Other definitions for den that I've seen before include "Wild animal's lair" , "Private office" , "Gentleman's study or animal's lair" , "Animals' shelter" , "Home of the beast" .)