Tenuto

As Printed on a Score

As a sign it is a short horizontal line over or under the notehead, affecting that note only; as a word it is abbreviated ten. and placed at the note or over a passage, also as molto ten. or poco ten. In vocal scores ten. can also mean tenore (tenor), so the staff it sits on decides.

Abbreviations: ten., ten

How Composers Use It

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.

Example

Brahms marks tenuto on bass notes in his piano works to ensure the harmonic foundation sustains through complex textures above.

Related Terms