Which term indicates to hold a note for its full length?

Which term indicates to hold a note for its full length?

• A. Accent
• B. Subito
• C. Poco a poco
• D. Tenuto

Answer: (D)

Holding a note for its full length is about sustaining the written duration with clarity and control. Tenuto is shown as a short horizontal line above or below the note, signaling you should give the note its full value, and sometimes add a touch of weight without extending the duration beyond what’s written. In practice, this means a steady, connected tone that carries through the entire rhythm value, with clean breath support in singing. This differs from an accent, which emphasizes the note through louder attack rather than longer duration, and from subito (suddenly) or poco a poco (gradually), which change dynamics or tempo rather than how long you hold a note. If tenuto appears with a dot, that combination is portato, meaning a lightly detached yet still connected feel.

Holding a note for its full length is about sustaining the written duration with clarity and control. Tenuto is shown as a short horizontal line above or below the note, signaling you should give the note its full value, and sometimes add a touch of weight without extending the duration beyond what’s written. In practice, this means a steady, connected tone that carries through the entire rhythm value, with clean breath support in singing. This differs from an accent, which emphasizes the note through louder attack rather than longer duration, and from subito (suddenly) or poco a poco (gradually), which change dynamics or tempo rather than how long you hold a note. If tenuto appears with a dot, that combination is portato, meaning a lightly detached yet still connected feel.