Exploring the Sound of Tenuto: Characteristics and Examples

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🎵 Tenuto is an articulation marking in music notation.
• 📏 It indicates that a note should be played at its full value, or slightly longer.
• 💪 A tenuto marking suggests a slight emphasis or weight on the note.
• ✍️ It is represented by a short horizontal line above or below the note.
• 🎹 The effect of a tenuto marking can vary depending on the musical context and instrument.

Practice Quiz

1. What does a tenuto marking indicate?
   1. A) Play the note shorter than its full value.
   2. B) Play the note at its full value, or slightly longer, with emphasis.
   3. C) Play the note very loudly.
   4. D) Play the note softly and detached.


2. How is a tenuto marking represented in musical notation?
   1. A) A dot above the note.
   2. B) A short horizontal line above or below the note.
   3. C) A curved line connecting two notes.
   4. D) A small triangle above the note.


3. Which of the following is a characteristic of a note played with a tenuto marking?
   1. A) Abrupt silence after the note.
   2. B) Extended duration.
   3. C) Rapid repetition of the note.
   4. D) Very light and airy sound.


4. In what context might a tenuto marking be used?
   1. A) To create a staccato effect.
   2. B) To diminish the sound of the note quickly.
   3. C) To add weight or emphasis to a melodic line.
   4. D) To indicate a very fast tempo.


5. If a composer wants a performer to hold a note for its full value with slight emphasis, which articulation marking should they use?
   1. A) Staccato
   2. B) Legato
   3. C) Tenuto
   4. D) Marcato


6. What is the primary difference between a tenuto and an accent marking?
   1. A) Tenuto indicates a shorter duration, while accent indicates a longer duration.
   2. B) Tenuto emphasizes duration, while accent emphasizes intensity.
   3. C) Tenuto and accent are interchangeable.
   4. D) Accent indicates a softer sound, while tenuto indicates a louder sound.


7. The impact of tenuto marking can be affected by which of the following factors?
   1. A) Type of music only.
   2. B) Instrument and musical context.
   3. C) Dynamic markings only.
   4. D) Tempo only.