Which elements are associated with stems and beams in musical notation?

Stems and beams in musical notation are crucial for indicating rhythm by visually grouping notes together to reflect their rhythmic relationships. When notes are beamed together, they signal that those particular notes should be played in a connected manner, often implying they belong to the same beat or subdivision of a beat.

For example, a group of eighth notes connected by a beam indicates that they should be played smoothly in a single rhythmic gesture, while a single note with a stem can represent various rhythmic values depending on its placement and the context. The use of stems allows musicians to identify the duration and organization of notes, particularly in more complex passages.

Other choices focus on different aspects of musical notation. Dynamic indicators refer to changes in volume, while parts of the clef relate to notational pitch representation, and accidentals are symbols used to alter the pitch of notes. However, they do not pertain specifically to the role of stems and beams in conveying rhythmic connections between notes. This distinct function of stems and beams for rhythmic indication clarifies why the correct answer is focused on connections between notes.