What does "tenuto" instruct a musician to do?

The term "tenuto" instructs a musician to hold the note for its full value, emphasizing that the note should be sustained. This means that the duration of the note should be fully realized, rather than cut short or played in a detached manner. When a musician sees "tenuto" indicated above a note, they understand it as a cue to engage with the note, creating a richer and more connected sound within the musical context.

In contrast, other term definitions highlight different techniques. Playing staccato, for example, would involve detaching the note from the subsequent notes, creating a distinct contrast in sound, while quickly releasing a note would also imply a lack of fullness in the sound. Additionally, playing with extreme detachment would negate the intended connectedness that "tenuto" suggests, leading to a less expressive interpretation. Thus, emphasizing the full duration of the note aligns perfectly with the essence of "tenuto."