Understanding Cut Time (Alla Breve)

This beginner lesson will explain how to play piano in cut time, a common time signature you’ll definitely run into during your musical travels.

What is cut time?

Cut time (also known as alla breve) is a time signature that essentially means two half notes per measure (or the equivalent of that in notes or rests).

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How It Works

So what makes cut time different from common time or 4/4? After all, both time signatures can fit four quarter notes per measure.

The difference is that in 2/2, the beats feel larger.

In 4/4, the beats follow a strong-weak-medium-weak feeling; in 2/2, it’s strong-weak strong-weak.

Alla breve can be confusing if you’re used to quarter notes equaling 1 beat.

So, it’s time to reset your brain! Start seeing half notes as equaling 1 beat. Everything kind of “halves” like this:

• Half note = 1 beat. Feels like a quarter note does in 4/4 time.
• Quarter note = 1/2 beat. Feels like an eighth note does in 4/4/ time.
• Eighth note = 1/4 beat. Feels like sixteenth notes in 4/4 time.

In a way, notes are “cut” in half from their value in 4/4.

How to Count Cut Time

You can count music in 2/2 like this:

• Half note = “one”
• Quarter note = “and”
• Eighth note = “e” or “a”

Here’s an example:

Try clapping and counting this beat with a metronome. Then, try playing and counting at the piano.

You’ll notice that because we have no sixteenth notes, music can look “cleaner” (and even less intimidating!) in 2/2.

If you’re ever in doubt, stop playing, count the rhythm, and write it down. We hope this lesson helps!

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