A time signature indicating 2 or 4 half-note beats in a bar; alla breve.
many fast songs are written in cut time so that instead of reading sixteenth notes, you are dealing with eighth notes
Example sentencesExamples
Although older sheet music often shows songs in cut time, this is generally disregarded in modern performance.
It just made me wonder why I see a lot more of cut time than 2/4 when you can just write the note for its true value.
Slatkin conducted most of the work in cut time (in two), thus allowing space for quicker tempi that seem fluid and strong, rather than fast.
When I see cut-time as a time signature I immediately think one backbeat per measure.
The 2 beat pattern is used for all meters such as 2/4 and 2/2 (Cut Time).
Cut time will still sound and look the same as common time.
The song really has more of a cut-time rhythm (2/2), but I wrote it 4/4 to make it easier to read.
You can create variety by changing the texture, including a countermelody, or changing the underlying rhythmic pulse (i.e. if it's a slow song maybe go into cut time [twice as fast]).
You know that cut-time bridge is coming in before too long.
What is the difference between playing cut time slow or 4/4 fast?
Definition of cut time in US English:
cut time
noun
North American Music
A time signature indicating 2 or 4 half-note beats in a bar; alla breve.
many fast songs are written in cut time so that instead of reading sixteenth notes, you are dealing with eighth notes
Example sentencesExamples
The song really has more of a cut-time rhythm (2/2), but I wrote it 4/4 to make it easier to read.
You know that cut-time bridge is coming in before too long.
The 2 beat pattern is used for all meters such as 2/4 and 2/2 (Cut Time).
Although older sheet music often shows songs in cut time, this is generally disregarded in modern performance.
Slatkin conducted most of the work in cut time (in two), thus allowing space for quicker tempi that seem fluid and strong, rather than fast.
When I see cut-time as a time signature I immediately think one backbeat per measure.
It just made me wonder why I see a lot more of cut time than 2/4 when you can just write the note for its true value.
You can create variety by changing the texture, including a countermelody, or changing the underlying rhythmic pulse (i.e. if it's a slow song maybe go into cut time [twice as fast]).
Cut time will still sound and look the same as common time.
What is the difference between playing cut time slow or 4/4 fast?