Tenuto assai

As Printed on a Score

Printed above or below the note or passage it governs, sometimes reinforcing tenuto lines. Over a single note it applies to that note; over a passage it holds until another articulation word.

How Composers Use It

Fully held: every note sustained to its complete value, perhaps with slight weight. It is stronger than ten., suiting slow chords or a melodic line where players might clip notes or breathe early. Because tenuto can also suggest a slight lengthening, decide whether you mean full value or held back in time, and add a tempo word if you mean the latter.

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