How to count 2/2
Two half notes per bar: "1-2". It holds the same notes as a bar of 4/4 but is felt in two, more lightly. On this page the tempo counts half notes.
Converting 4/4 to 2/2
If your tempo is in quarter notes, divide it by two: quarter = 160 is half = 80.
Where you hear it
Marches, overtures and fast classical passages, show tunes and a lot of band repertoire.
Frequently asked questions
What does the C with a line through it mean?
It is the symbol for cut time or alla breve, meaning 2/2.
Why not just write it in 4/4?
2/2 tells the player to think in two beats rather than four, which gives smoother phrasing at fast tempos.