What note does a broken line represent for the Boatswain's pipe?

• A. Staccato
• B. Undulating Note
• C. Legato
• D. Accent

Answer: (B)

A broken line through a note on the Boatswain’s pipe signals an undulating note—a pitch that wavers up and down rather than staying steady. This wavering makes the command stand out clearly in a noisy deck environment and gives it a distinctive character.

This is different from staccato, which would require short, detached notes; legato, which means smooth and connected notes; and accent, which emphasizes the attack of a note. The broken line specifically describes the pitch contour, not articulation or emphasis.