Chorus CFE Practice Exam

Smooth and connected playing across successive notes is legato. Legato means the line flows without breaks, so notes blend into one another. In practice, you connect the sounds—on piano you might use the pedal and careful finger legato; on strings you’d use a continuous bow; on wind instruments you’d maintain a steady stream of air between notes. This is why legato is the term that describes that seamless, flowing articulation.

The other terms describe different styles: staccato means short and detached, which breaks the connection; tenuto means hold each note for its full value and give slight weight, which isn’t inherently about linking notes; marcato means accented and emphasized, usually with a strong, separated attack.