NYSTCE Music (165) Practice Exam

Tempo markings tell you how fast to play and how to change speed within a piece. Affrettando literally means to hurry—it's a cue to hasten the tempo and create urgency, often moving the music forward more quickly than before. That makes it the clear indication for “to hurry.” In contrast, détaché refers to playing notes detached rather than smoothly connected, which is an articulation rather than a tempo change. Ondulé indicates a wavering or undulating quality, not a faster speed. Slentando (or slentando/slargando) means gradually slowing down or broadening, not speeding up. So the marking that conveys hurrying is affrettando.