Topmusicanswers
I hope that shows that the tenuto marking is not redundant. A tenuto marking is somewhat of an accent mark for note length, but to a lesser degree. While a tenuto isn't an outright fermata, it means to put more emphasis on a note.
- What is a tenuto marking?
- What does a tenuto marking look like?
- Is tenuto an articulation?
- How should you play a note that is marked tenuto?
What is a tenuto marking?
Tenuto: A tenuto mark is the opposite of staccato. It indicates that a player should take care to play the full value of a single note. For instance, if you see a half note with a tenuto mark above it, be sure to let it ring for the full half-note duration before moving on to the next note.
What does a tenuto marking look like?
In musical notation, tenuto (Italian, past participle of tenere, "to hold"), denoted as a horizontal bar adjacent a note, is a direction for the performer to hold or sustain a note for its full length. ... The mark's meaning may also be affected when it appears in conjunction with other durational articulations.
Is tenuto an articulation?
Examples of articulation. From left to right: staccato, staccatissimo, marcato, accent, tenuto.
...
Types of articulations.
| Tenuto | Hold the note in question its full length (or longer, with slight rubato), or play the note slightly louder. |
|---|---|
| Legato | Indicates musical notes are to be played or sung smoothly and connected. |
How should you play a note that is marked tenuto?
The tenuto mark also indicates that the note should be played for its full value - not cut off earlier. Sometimes these symbols are used in combination. Tenuto is Italian for "sustained," and notes should be played as full valued as possible with a medium strengthed, legato accent.
