Tie

Back to alphabetical overview – click here

Back to alphabetical overview – click here

A tie is a curved line that connects two or more notes of the same pitch. It indicates that the notes should be played as a single sustained note whose duration equals the combined value of the tied notes.

What is a tie?

A tie connects notes of exactly the same pitch. Only the first note is played, while the following tied notes are held without being played again. Ties are commonly used to extend notes across bar lines or to create note values that cannot be written as a single note.

A tie should not be confused with a slur. A tie connects notes of the same pitch, while a slur indicates that notes of different pitches should be played smoothly.

How is a tie used in piano playing?

For piano players, ties require careful finger control and pedal technique to sustain the sound for the full written duration. Replaying a tied note changes the musical effect and should be avoided.

Ties are especially important when reading syncopated rhythms, where a note or chord is held across the beat instead of being played again. Mastering ties helps create smooth, accurate and expressive piano performances.