2/2 Time Signature

How do I count out the beats for a 2/2 time signature? Are there two beats per measure? What are the lengths of a eigth note?

Here is the 2/2 piece I am trying to learn:

 

In 2/2, there are 2 half notes per measure, which means it's just like 4/4, but usually it's faster, so the beats are counted by the half note instead of the quarter note.

 

I second on that. :lol:

 

It's more like 2/4 IMO

 

The eighth notes are four per half note, as per usual; they serve the same function as sixteenth notes in 2/4 time.

 

It's like 2/4 in the way that it's counted, but there are still 4 quarters in a measure, so it's just as much like 4/4. The only difference between the way 2/2 and 4/4 are read is speed, and that can be very relative because some composers don't bother with 2/2 or cut time. In 2/4, there's only one half note per measure. I just think it's simpler to keep in mind that it's read just like 4/4 - trying to convert eighth notes to sixteenths is just unnecessary confusion. :lol:

But if you've ever played anything in cut time, juuf, it's just like that. ()

 

I can think of no good reason why Liszt chose to use 2/2 instead of 4/4 here. It's about as four-square a piece as they come. Speed is hardly likely as a Wiegenlied is not supposed to go fast.

 

Not even Liszt is spared from the glare of techneut

 

That could be so :wink:
But I may be missing something vital here and would like to know what is intended with this 2/2.

Not that I feel that it matters much though.. I'd not play it any differently whether it said 2/2, 4/4, or 7/8. Actually the time signature seems superfluous as one can clearly see there are four quarters in a bar. Hm :?

 

Didn't he sell his Edirol? :lol:

 

In that clip that pianolady posted, it sure seems easier to count it in 4 rather than 2. Especially
since that 2nd half-note beat falls in the middle of that tied quarter-eighth note figure.

 

Yeah, I'm just splitting quavers. :lol:

 

Pardon the delay, I was at my parent's house in which they will retire too (~4 years). During my stay I managed to do lots of chores. No TV, no Phone (cell phones don't work up there), no Computer...silence...perfect.


Yes, I did sell my edirol to Mr. John Robson.

My computer does not want to play the link which you sent me.

Hopefully someone will record it...I have found that it is easier for me to play a piece after I heard it multiple times. I struggle if you give me a random composition to play through and not allow me to hear a professional (or near professional) recording.

Maybe I should've payed more attention during the first two years of piano lessons :roll:

Thanks for all the help.

-jg

 

Heh, that is childs' play. Try splitting hemi-semi-demi-quavers :wink:

 

The edition that your teacher showed you was in cut-time with a metronome @ 46? Your demonstrative "this" is confusing for me :wink: