Expression & tempo
Tenuto
Tenuto is a short horizontal dash over a note asking for it to be held to its full value, and often given a little extra weight or emphasis.
The marking carries two overlapping meanings that context separates: hold the note for all of its length, and lean on it slightly. In a passage of detached notes a tenuto dash means sustain; in a passage of even notes it means stress.
On a string instrument both are made with the bow. Full length means keeping the stroke moving to the end of the value rather than stopping early; weight means a fractionally slower, heavier start. Neither involves shortening, which is what separates tenuto from every staccato marking.
Dashes under a slur become portato, a different instruction: several weighted notes inside one bow.
Related terms
Try a short guided practice session
Read a note, try a short exercise and check your understanding. No account or microphone needed. If you want to save progress afterwards, a free account adds five instrument lessons and five theory lessons. No card.