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Held — sustain the note for its full written duration (or slightly longer). Marked with a horizontal line above or below the notehead.
Tenuto means "hold the note" — give it full value, perhaps leaning into it slightly. It is the opposite of staccato. Use tenuto markings to emphasize important notes within a phrase, to create a broad, sustained effect, or to prevent performers from shortening notes that should ring.
Brahms marks tenuto on bass notes in his piano works to ensure the harmonic foundation sustains through complex textures above.
Tenuto is one of 228 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary, where every definition is written around how composers actually use the word.
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