Which term refers to a symbol that indicates the modification of a pitch?

• A. accidental
• B. a poco a poco
• C. Allegro
• D. Acoustics

Answer: (A)

Accidentals indicate a modification of a pitch. They appear as symbols such as sharp, flat, or natural, and they tell you to raise, lower, or restore the pitch from what the key signature would normally indicate. The change affects that pitch for the rest of the measure on that same staff position (same note name and octave) unless the measure ends or the note is canceled. This is about altering pitch, not rhythm or tempo. The other terms refer to tempo or the science of sound: a poco a poco means gradually, Allegro indicates a fast tempo, and acoustics is the study of sound, not a notation symbol.