TENUTO Meaning and
Definition
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"Tenuto" is a musical term used to denote a style of playing a note or a series of notes in a sustained and emphasized manner. It derives from the Italian word "tenere," meaning "to hold." When a note is marked with the tenuto symbol (∫) or the word "tenuto," it instructs the musician to hold the note for its full value and give it a slight emphasis or stress.
This instruction is often interpreted subjectively by the performer, as the degree of emphasis can vary depending on the musical context and style. It is commonly understood as maintaining the full duration of the note, often with a slight increase in volume or weight, in order to give it expressive weight and presence within the music.
The overall effect of tenuto is to create a sense of control and importance to the sustained note, differentiating it from surrounding notes. It can also lend a feeling of legato or smoothness to the line, particularly when used in conjunction with other legato markings.
In addition to its usage in notation, the term "tenuto" is sometimes employed in verbal or gestural communication during rehearsals and performances to ensure that the desired effect is achieved by the musicians. This communication allows for the precise interpretation of the composer's intention and fosters cohesion and unity within the ensemble.
Common Misspellings for TENUTO
- renuto
- fenuto
- genuto
- yenuto
- 6enuto
- 5enuto
- twnuto
- tsnuto
- tdnuto
- trnuto
- t4nuto
- t3nuto
- tebuto
- temuto
- tejuto
- tehuto
- tenyto
- tenhto
- tenjto
- tenito
Etymology of TENUTO
The word tenuto is derived from Italian, where it functions as the present participle of the verb tenere, meaning to hold. In Italian musical terminology, tenuto is used as a directive instructing musicians to hold or sustain a particular note or passage for its full value or slightly longer. The word has its origins in the Latin verb tenere, which also means to hold.
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