Distinguish a tie from a slur.

• A. A tie connects two notes of the same pitch; a slur connects different pitches.
• B. A tie indicates staccato; a slur indicates legato.
• C. A tie connects rhythmic values; a slur changes dynamics.
• D. A tie is for winds; a slur is for strings.

Answer: (A)

Ties and slurs serve two different purposes in notation. A tie is about extending duration: when two notes share the same pitch, a tie joins them into one sustained note, adding their rhythmic values together and not rearticulating the note. A slur indicates a smooth, connected phrase across different pitches, guiding you to play those notes in a legato fashion as a single musical idea, while still articulating each individual note.

So if you see two identical notes connected by a curved line, that’s a tie—you hold the pitch for the combined length. If you see different pitches connected by a curved line, that’s a slur—you play the notes in a flowing, connected way. The other statements mix up articulation, dynamics, or instrument roles, which aren’t the defining features of ties and slurs.