tenuto
8.7
Each note held for its full length or a little longer
- adverb
- /təˈnuːtoʊ/
- Specialized
:
tenuto
- When marked tenuto, the violinist held each note slightly longer than usual.
Examples
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The pianist played the melody tenuto to emphasize each note's full value.
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The choir sang the phrase tenuto, giving the music a smooth and sustained quality.
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Play tenuto.
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Don't forget to play tenuto!
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The pianist played the melody tenuto, ensuring each note was held for its full length.
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In the symphony, the conductor instructed the orchestra to perform tenuto for a richer sound.
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During the rehearsal, the cellist practiced playing the passage tenuto to enhance its expressiveness.
Antonyms
How Long
Surface Forms
tenuto positive
Etymology
Tenuto comes from the Italian verb tenere, which means 'to hold' and is the same root you see in English words like retain and tenant. So when music is marked tenuto the player holds each note for its full length or gives it a slight extra emphasis.