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Grade 4 - Breves

Test yourself on breves in this Grade 4 Music Theory quiz!

Grade 4 - Breves

Breves and alla breve decoded. Discover how 2/2 ‘cut time’ works, why the minim gets the beat, and where the historic breve fits into modern notation.

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Fascinating Fact:

Alla breve means cut time 2/2, where the minim is the beat. The name comes from using the breve as the historical beat.

In Specialist Music Theory (Grade 4), you’ll meet the breve (double whole note) and the time signature alla breve (2/2). In cut time, conduct and count two beats per bar, each beat equal to a minim.

Key Terms

Breve: A note worth two semibreves (double whole note); in 4/4 it lasts eight crotchet beats.
Alla Breve (2/2): “Cut time” where the minim is one beat; there are two beats in each bar.
Minim: A half note; in alla breve it is the beat unit you count and conduct.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What does alla breve mean in music?

Alla breve means “cut time” and is written 2/2. There are two beats per bar and each beat is a minim (half note), not a crotchet.

Is a breve longer than a semibreve?

Yes. A breve equals two semibreves (double whole note). That’s four minims or eight crotchets in 4/4 counting.

How do you count 2/2 (cut time)?

Count two strong beats per bar: “1–2,” with each count lasting a minim. Subdivide into crotchets or quavers when rhythms are faster.

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Author: Kathleen Shuster (experienced music teacher and music theory writer)

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