Cut time

See Alla Breve. Another name for the 2/2 meter signature, it is written as a large capital C with a line drawn vertically through it. Same as the meter 2/2: two half-note (minim) beats per measure. Notated and executed like common time (4/4), except with the beat lengths doubled. Indicated by three quarters of a circle with a vertical line through it, which resembles the cent symbol ''. This comes from a literal cut of the 'C' symbol of common time. Thus, a quarter note in cut time is only half a beat long, and a measure has only two beats. See also alla breve.<br><br>Another name for the 2/2 meter signature, it is written as a large capital C with a line drawn vertically through it