Hi,


I'm silghtly confused as to what a tenuto means. Only recently have I come across them (since I started playing violin. I've never seen them in guitar music) and I not that experienced with playing music where they're used.

From what I know they're used to show a note should be sustained for its full length. In the violin music(grade2) that I've been playing they don't seen to have any real purpose, as when playing one naturally holds the notes for there full duration, unless otherwise indicated.

Could someone please explain the defination, and use, of a tenuto?

Sorry if this is confusing to read, any help would be greatly received,
LG

It does mean to hold the note for the full length, but also to stress the note (not to accent it though). It's used a lot in French music, especially vocal music, to ensure the correct syllable is stressed.

It is common in Baroque and Classical music as the style at that time was a more detached less legato bowing style than is normal now. So then tenuto meant to hold a note to its full length rather than detach it. It is often found on notes which are tied or slurred together in music for bowed strings, often in pairs. In this context it means that despite being tied and the bow moving in the same dirrection both the notes should sound individually due to a slight pause or stop in the bow movement and a gentle accent.

Thanks alot This was very helpful, I won't be so confused next time I play my pieces!