The "C" in the bass clef, what does it mean?

[pip]

Hi guys

As I can just about sight read on a basic level, I've been noticing pieces and exercices that are written in the bass clef, but have this "C" next to the key signature. I'm not sure if it means a piece is using the clave or not because in my Bass Impro book (by Ed friedland) he writes some exercies with this "C" in the notation. Can someone explain or claify this please?

Thanks Phil

[aj5string]

It means common time - ie 4/4

HTH

[Eight]

Yup.

And a C with a vertical line through it basically means 2/2 these days.

[pip]

Ah I see thanks guys!

Phil

[Bilbo]

Don't worry, pip. I only found that out last year and I have been reading for nearly 20 years

[BottomEndian]

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='483935' date='May 9 2009, 07:04 PM']Don't worry, pip. I only found that out last year and I have been reading for nearly 20 years [/quote]
Yeah, it's one of those bits of notation that's much more common (no pun intended ) in some environments than others. I spent a good few years of my youth playing in brass bands, and the "common" and "cut common" (C with a vertical line through it) symbols were absolutely bog-standard.