What is a tie in music?

A tie in music is a symbol used in sheet music notation to indicate that two notes are to be played as a single, sustained note. It is represented by a curved line connecting the heads of the two notes. Ties are used when a note needs to be held for longer than its written duration. When a tie is present, the performer should not separate the two notes but instead play them as a single, continuous sound. Ties can be used in any type of music, from classical to pop, and are an important tool for creating smooth, connected phrases.