[cpaace]

What is the point to it. Why not just write the music in 2/4 instead of 4/4? So a doted half note would be a dotted quarter note. I don't get it.

 

[hakukani]

Cut time is really a fast 4, not a slow 2.

 

[Pete Thomas]

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?161793-Cut-Time

I think you can write cut time as 2/4,there's nothing to stop you. Or you could write 2/4 as 2/2 or cut time

 

[ericdano]

What is the point to it. Why not just write the music in 2/4 instead of 4/4? So a doted half note would be a dotted quarter note. I don't get it.

It's easier to read and count. And you wouldn't write cut time out into 2/4 anyhow. Cut time means twice as fast. Writing it out in 2/4 wouldn't make any difference.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Cut time means twice as fast.

I think it did originally (and still can), but when used at the beginning of a piece, it can't mean that. But I agree, writing in 2/4 would make no difference to the sound. It might be more complex to read if you don't like semiquavers as much as quavers.

 

[Merlin]

Notating in 2/4 would have taken longer in the days of hand copy. Flags and beams are fiddly.

 

[gary]

+1 on Merlin's answer. It also sometimes relates to how a basic pulse is notated. Additionally, some music notated in "cut time" had historical precedences too lengthy to be addressed here.

 

[JL]

Play by ear and you won't have to worry about it.

Just kidding. I'll get back to the football game now.

 

[hgiles]

Yes, I think it (cut time) makes reading and writing it simpler.

 

[toughtenor]

Yes, I think it (cut time) makes reading and writing it simpler.

that's a good enough reason for it's use.
I think or count cut time anyway when it gets fast.

 

[cpaace]

It's easier to read and count. And you wouldn't write cut time out into 2/4 anyhow. Cut time means twice as fast. Writing it out in 2/4 wouldn't make any difference.

Yeah, that was my conclusion, but, I just wanted to make sure I was not missing something.