When there is a slur, but it is the same note, either a half note and a quarter note, or maybe 2 quarter notes together, do you play each note or just hold it down for the extra beat?

BarbVA, that is called a "tie" even though the same symbol is used. Yes, you hold the note down as though it were one single note for the combined value of the two notes.

Thank you, and YAY, I've been practicing it correct but then started wondering if I was doing it right (even though it sounded best the way I was doing it).