Isn't a tenuto marking redundant?
If a tenuto mark means to "hold for the entire value of the note" as it's often defined, isn't this redundant? Aren't we expected to hold notes for their entire value anyway? So what is a tenuto mark truly telling us to do differently?
piano articulation
asked Jan 11 at 5:37
PianoGirlPianoGirl
361
|
show 1 more comment
If a tenuto mark means to "hold for the entire value of the note" as it's often defined, isn't this redundant? Aren't we expected to hold notes for their entire value anyway? So what is a tenuto mark truly telling us to do differently?
piano articulation
asked Jan 11 at 5:37
PianoGirlPianoGirl
361
2
This seems like a duplicate of music.stackexchange.com/questions/31365/… and music.stackexchange.com/questions/17204/….
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:00
2
I'll add that the tenuto marking does disambiguate and emphasize that the note should be played for its full length and not be treated as simile with the articulations of notes in similar motives. I once transcribed some of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches from the original sheet music, and I saw several sections where orchestras had interpreted the articulations as similar to earlier sections with articulation markings, despite the lack of articulation markings on these later sections' notes and the lack of simile indications.
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:05
1
On bowed strings/woodwind/brass the performer can change the speed of attack used for tenuto accents. But if you're performing on a piano you don't have as much control over the speed of attack - perhaps all you can change is the length and volume.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:44
1
@Dekkadeci there is overlap but the answers here IMHO are more detailed and easier to understand than the answers there. I wonder if we can mark those others as "the duplicate" :-)
– Carl Witthoft
Jan 11 at 13:45
1
"Aren't we expected to hold notes for their entire value anyway?" Nope!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 11 at 16:19
|
show 1 more comment
If a tenuto mark means to "hold for the entire value of the note" as it's often defined, isn't this redundant? Aren't we expected to hold notes for their entire value anyway? So what is a tenuto mark truly telling us to do differently?
piano articulation
asked Jan 11 at 5:37
PianoGirlPianoGirl
361
If a tenuto mark means to "hold for the entire value of the note" as it's often defined, isn't this redundant? Aren't we expected to hold notes for their entire value anyway? So what is a tenuto mark truly telling us to do differently?
piano articulation
piano articulation
asked Jan 11 at 5:37
PianoGirlPianoGirl
361
asked Jan 11 at 5:37
PianoGirlPianoGirl
361
asked Jan 11 at 5:37
PianoGirlPianoGirl
361
asked Jan 11 at 5:37
PianoGirlPianoGirl
361
asked Jan 11 at 5:37
PianoGirlPianoGirl
361
361
2
This seems like a duplicate of music.stackexchange.com/questions/31365/… and music.stackexchange.com/questions/17204/….
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:00
2
I'll add that the tenuto marking does disambiguate and emphasize that the note should be played for its full length and not be treated as simile with the articulations of notes in similar motives. I once transcribed some of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches from the original sheet music, and I saw several sections where orchestras had interpreted the articulations as similar to earlier sections with articulation markings, despite the lack of articulation markings on these later sections' notes and the lack of simile indications.
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:05
1
On bowed strings/woodwind/brass the performer can change the speed of attack used for tenuto accents. But if you're performing on a piano you don't have as much control over the speed of attack - perhaps all you can change is the length and volume.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:44
1
@Dekkadeci there is overlap but the answers here IMHO are more detailed and easier to understand than the answers there. I wonder if we can mark those others as "the duplicate" :-)
– Carl Witthoft
Jan 11 at 13:45
1
"Aren't we expected to hold notes for their entire value anyway?" Nope!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 11 at 16:19
|
show 1 more comment
2
This seems like a duplicate of music.stackexchange.com/questions/31365/… and music.stackexchange.com/questions/17204/….
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:00
2
I'll add that the tenuto marking does disambiguate and emphasize that the note should be played for its full length and not be treated as simile with the articulations of notes in similar motives. I once transcribed some of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches from the original sheet music, and I saw several sections where orchestras had interpreted the articulations as similar to earlier sections with articulation markings, despite the lack of articulation markings on these later sections' notes and the lack of simile indications.
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:05
1
On bowed strings/woodwind/brass the performer can change the speed of attack used for tenuto accents. But if you're performing on a piano you don't have as much control over the speed of attack - perhaps all you can change is the length and volume.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:44
1
@Dekkadeci there is overlap but the answers here IMHO are more detailed and easier to understand than the answers there. I wonder if we can mark those others as "the duplicate" :-)
– Carl Witthoft
Jan 11 at 13:45
1
"Aren't we expected to hold notes for their entire value anyway?" Nope!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 11 at 16:19
2
2
This seems like a duplicate of music.stackexchange.com/questions/31365/… and music.stackexchange.com/questions/17204/….
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:00
This seems like a duplicate of music.stackexchange.com/questions/31365/… and music.stackexchange.com/questions/17204/….
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:00
2
2
I'll add that the tenuto marking does disambiguate and emphasize that the note should be played for its full length and not be treated as simile with the articulations of notes in similar motives. I once transcribed some of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches from the original sheet music, and I saw several sections where orchestras had interpreted the articulations as similar to earlier sections with articulation markings, despite the lack of articulation markings on these later sections' notes and the lack of simile indications.
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:05
I'll add that the tenuto marking does disambiguate and emphasize that the note should be played for its full length and not be treated as simile with the articulations of notes in similar motives. I once transcribed some of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches from the original sheet music, and I saw several sections where orchestras had interpreted the articulations as similar to earlier sections with articulation markings, despite the lack of articulation markings on these later sections' notes and the lack of simile indications.
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:05
1
1
On bowed strings/woodwind/brass the performer can change the speed of attack used for tenuto accents. But if you're performing on a piano you don't have as much control over the speed of attack - perhaps all you can change is the length and volume.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:44
On bowed strings/woodwind/brass the performer can change the speed of attack used for tenuto accents. But if you're performing on a piano you don't have as much control over the speed of attack - perhaps all you can change is the length and volume.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:44
1
1
@Dekkadeci there is overlap but the answers here IMHO are more detailed and easier to understand than the answers there. I wonder if we can mark those others as "the duplicate" :-)
– Carl Witthoft
Jan 11 at 13:45
@Dekkadeci there is overlap but the answers here IMHO are more detailed and easier to understand than the answers there. I wonder if we can mark those others as "the duplicate" :-)
– Carl Witthoft
Jan 11 at 13:45
1
1
"Aren't we expected to hold notes for their entire value anyway?" Nope!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 11 at 16:19
"Aren't we expected to hold notes for their entire value anyway?" Nope!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 11 at 16:19
|
show 1 more comment
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
There is more to a tenuto marking than that. It can mean slightly different things in different contexts. For example, if there is just one note in a phrase with a tenuto marking, then it would suggest that that note is more emphasised than the others. If you had a row of the same notes, all with tenuto markings, then you would probably play each one with a slight emphasise and therefore making them sound more separated than fully legato. If you had a row of staccato notes and then one that wasn't, you might put a tenuto marking on that one as a precaution. I hope that shows that the tenuto marking is not redundant.
answered Jan 11 at 7:35
JomiddnzJomiddnz
2,18959
add a comment |
Tenuto markings often show that a note has extra weight to it. Notes with these markings would not have a sharp/edgy beginning like an accented note, but they are often slightly louder than the notes without tenuto markings. They are also useful in helping to communicate the mood of a piece, as they are more often used in slower, heavier, more somber pieces than in pieces that are quick, light, and cheerful.
answered Jan 11 at 12:33
Heather S.Heather S.
3,6911320
2
+1 for the comment about the attack of the note. A Tenuto accent requires more than just a change to its performed length.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:40
add a comment |
A tenuto marking is somewhat of an accent mark for note length, but to a lesser degree. While a tenuto isn't an outright fermata, it means to put more emphasis on a note. Tenutos used in tempo rubato (free tempo) usually mean to not play the note faster than usual.
answered Jan 15 at 23:03
HazardHazard
112
add a comment |
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3 Answers
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There is more to a tenuto marking than that. It can mean slightly different things in different contexts. For example, if there is just one note in a phrase with a tenuto marking, then it would suggest that that note is more emphasised than the others. If you had a row of the same notes, all with tenuto markings, then you would probably play each one with a slight emphasise and therefore making them sound more separated than fully legato. If you had a row of staccato notes and then one that wasn't, you might put a tenuto marking on that one as a precaution. I hope that shows that the tenuto marking is not redundant.
answered Jan 11 at 7:35
JomiddnzJomiddnz
2,18959
add a comment |
There is more to a tenuto marking than that. It can mean slightly different things in different contexts. For example, if there is just one note in a phrase with a tenuto marking, then it would suggest that that note is more emphasised than the others. If you had a row of the same notes, all with tenuto markings, then you would probably play each one with a slight emphasise and therefore making them sound more separated than fully legato. If you had a row of staccato notes and then one that wasn't, you might put a tenuto marking on that one as a precaution. I hope that shows that the tenuto marking is not redundant.
answered Jan 11 at 7:35
JomiddnzJomiddnz
2,18959
add a comment |
There is more to a tenuto marking than that. It can mean slightly different things in different contexts. For example, if there is just one note in a phrase with a tenuto marking, then it would suggest that that note is more emphasised than the others. If you had a row of the same notes, all with tenuto markings, then you would probably play each one with a slight emphasise and therefore making them sound more separated than fully legato. If you had a row of staccato notes and then one that wasn't, you might put a tenuto marking on that one as a precaution. I hope that shows that the tenuto marking is not redundant.
answered Jan 11 at 7:35
JomiddnzJomiddnz
2,18959
There is more to a tenuto marking than that. It can mean slightly different things in different contexts. For example, if there is just one note in a phrase with a tenuto marking, then it would suggest that that note is more emphasised than the others. If you had a row of the same notes, all with tenuto markings, then you would probably play each one with a slight emphasise and therefore making them sound more separated than fully legato. If you had a row of staccato notes and then one that wasn't, you might put a tenuto marking on that one as a precaution. I hope that shows that the tenuto marking is not redundant.
answered Jan 11 at 7:35
JomiddnzJomiddnz
2,18959
answered Jan 11 at 7:35
JomiddnzJomiddnz
2,18959
answered Jan 11 at 7:35
JomiddnzJomiddnz
2,18959
answered Jan 11 at 7:35
JomiddnzJomiddnz
2,18959
2,18959
add a comment |
add a comment |
Tenuto markings often show that a note has extra weight to it. Notes with these markings would not have a sharp/edgy beginning like an accented note, but they are often slightly louder than the notes without tenuto markings. They are also useful in helping to communicate the mood of a piece, as they are more often used in slower, heavier, more somber pieces than in pieces that are quick, light, and cheerful.
answered Jan 11 at 12:33
Heather S.Heather S.
3,6911320
2
+1 for the comment about the attack of the note. A Tenuto accent requires more than just a change to its performed length.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:40
add a comment |
Tenuto markings often show that a note has extra weight to it. Notes with these markings would not have a sharp/edgy beginning like an accented note, but they are often slightly louder than the notes without tenuto markings. They are also useful in helping to communicate the mood of a piece, as they are more often used in slower, heavier, more somber pieces than in pieces that are quick, light, and cheerful.
answered Jan 11 at 12:33
Heather S.Heather S.
3,6911320
2
+1 for the comment about the attack of the note. A Tenuto accent requires more than just a change to its performed length.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:40
add a comment |
Tenuto markings often show that a note has extra weight to it. Notes with these markings would not have a sharp/edgy beginning like an accented note, but they are often slightly louder than the notes without tenuto markings. They are also useful in helping to communicate the mood of a piece, as they are more often used in slower, heavier, more somber pieces than in pieces that are quick, light, and cheerful.
answered Jan 11 at 12:33
Heather S.Heather S.
3,6911320
Tenuto markings often show that a note has extra weight to it. Notes with these markings would not have a sharp/edgy beginning like an accented note, but they are often slightly louder than the notes without tenuto markings. They are also useful in helping to communicate the mood of a piece, as they are more often used in slower, heavier, more somber pieces than in pieces that are quick, light, and cheerful.
answered Jan 11 at 12:33
Heather S.Heather S.
3,6911320
answered Jan 11 at 12:33
Heather S.Heather S.
3,6911320
answered Jan 11 at 12:33
Heather S.Heather S.
3,6911320
answered Jan 11 at 12:33
Heather S.Heather S.
3,6911320
3,6911320
2
+1 for the comment about the attack of the note. A Tenuto accent requires more than just a change to its performed length.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:40
add a comment |
2
+1 for the comment about the attack of the note. A Tenuto accent requires more than just a change to its performed length.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:40
2
2
+1 for the comment about the attack of the note. A Tenuto accent requires more than just a change to its performed length.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:40
+1 for the comment about the attack of the note. A Tenuto accent requires more than just a change to its performed length.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:40
add a comment |
A tenuto marking is somewhat of an accent mark for note length, but to a lesser degree. While a tenuto isn't an outright fermata, it means to put more emphasis on a note. Tenutos used in tempo rubato (free tempo) usually mean to not play the note faster than usual.
answered Jan 15 at 23:03
HazardHazard
112
add a comment |
A tenuto marking is somewhat of an accent mark for note length, but to a lesser degree. While a tenuto isn't an outright fermata, it means to put more emphasis on a note. Tenutos used in tempo rubato (free tempo) usually mean to not play the note faster than usual.
answered Jan 15 at 23:03
HazardHazard
112
add a comment |
A tenuto marking is somewhat of an accent mark for note length, but to a lesser degree. While a tenuto isn't an outright fermata, it means to put more emphasis on a note. Tenutos used in tempo rubato (free tempo) usually mean to not play the note faster than usual.
answered Jan 15 at 23:03
HazardHazard
112
A tenuto marking is somewhat of an accent mark for note length, but to a lesser degree. While a tenuto isn't an outright fermata, it means to put more emphasis on a note. Tenutos used in tempo rubato (free tempo) usually mean to not play the note faster than usual.
answered Jan 15 at 23:03
HazardHazard
112
answered Jan 15 at 23:03
HazardHazard
112
answered Jan 15 at 23:03
HazardHazard
112
answered Jan 15 at 23:03
HazardHazard
112
112
add a comment |
add a comment |
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2
This seems like a duplicate of music.stackexchange.com/questions/31365/… and music.stackexchange.com/questions/17204/….
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:00
2
I'll add that the tenuto marking does disambiguate and emphasize that the note should be played for its full length and not be treated as simile with the articulations of notes in similar motives. I once transcribed some of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches from the original sheet music, and I saw several sections where orchestras had interpreted the articulations as similar to earlier sections with articulation markings, despite the lack of articulation markings on these later sections' notes and the lack of simile indications.
– Dekkadeci
Jan 11 at 6:05
1
On bowed strings/woodwind/brass the performer can change the speed of attack used for tenuto accents. But if you're performing on a piano you don't have as much control over the speed of attack - perhaps all you can change is the length and volume.
– Brian THOMAS
Jan 11 at 12:44
1
@Dekkadeci there is overlap but the answers here IMHO are more detailed and easier to understand than the answers there. I wonder if we can mark those others as "the duplicate" :-)
– Carl Witthoft
Jan 11 at 13:45
1
"Aren't we expected to hold notes for their entire value anyway?" Nope!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 11 at 16:19