Tenuto

Tenuto is an Italian word that means "taking", and is a musical directive to a musician to perform a certain note or chord of a composition in a sustained manner for longer than its full duration (i.e., touch on a note slightly longer than usual, but without generally altering the note's value). Tenuto is a line placed above or below the note meaning to sustain for slightly longer that full value. Tenuto may also indicate a separate attack on the note, or may indicate legato, in contrast to the dot of staccato. Combining a tenuto with a staccato dot indicates a slightly detaching ("portato" or "mezzo staccato").<br>