What is a Tenuto?

Tenuto is a musical articulation marking that instructs performers to hold a note for its full value and often give it slight emphasis. The word tenuto comes from Italian and means “held” or “sustained.” When musicians see this marking, they should play the note smoothly and allow it to last its complete duration.

In written music, tenuto is usually indicated by a short horizontal line placed above or below a note. This marking signals that the note should not be shortened or detached, but instead should be sustained fully and sometimes played with gentle emphasis.

Tenuto is often used to highlight important notes within a phrase while maintaining a connected and expressive sound. It can appear in many styles of music and helps shape the phrasing and flow of a melody. By slightly emphasizing and fully sustaining certain notes, tenuto markings help add nuance and clarity to musical performance.