Which mark connects notes of different pitches and indicates smooth, connected playing?

Which mark connects notes of different pitches and indicates smooth, connected playing?

• A. Slur
• B. Staccato
• C. Tenuto
• D. Tie

Answer: (A)

A slur indicates legato phrasing, linking notes of different pitches into one smooth, connected line. When you see it, aim to connect the notes with minimal rearticulation, shaping a flowing phrase across changing pitches. A tie, in contrast, binds two notes of the same pitch to extend their duration, not to indicate a melodic connection. Staccato asks for short, detached notes, which breaks the smoothness, while tenuto suggests holding notes for their full value with slight emphasis but doesn’t specify cross-pitch connection. So the mark that best fits connecting notes of different pitches in a smooth way is the slur.

A slur indicates legato phrasing, linking notes of different pitches into one smooth, connected line. When you see it, aim to connect the notes with minimal rearticulation, shaping a flowing phrase across changing pitches. A tie, in contrast, binds two notes of the same pitch to extend their duration, not to indicate a melodic connection. Staccato asks for short, detached notes, which breaks the smoothness, while tenuto suggests holding notes for their full value with slight emphasis but doesn’t specify cross-pitch connection. So the mark that best fits connecting notes of different pitches in a smooth way is the slur.