Definition

1. Noun:

   • The lowest female singing voice: In vocal music, "alto" refers to the lowest range of the female singing voice, situated below soprano.
   • The highest adult male singing voice: In choral music, "alto" can also refer to the highest range of the adult male voice, typically sung by countertenors or falsettists.
   • A singer with an alto voice: A person who sings with an alto vocal range.
   • A musical part written for an alto voice: The line of music intended to be sung by altos.
   • The second highest instrument in a family: In instrumental families (e.g., saxophones), "alto" designates the instrument with the second highest pitch range.

2. Adjective:

   • Pertaining to the alto vocal range: Describing a voice, singer, or part that is in the alto range.
   • Pertaining to a specific instrumental pitch: Describing an instrument (e.g., a saxophone or clarinet) that is the second highest in its family.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • She sings alto in the choir. (She sings the lowest female part.)
  • The composition features a beautiful solo for alto. (The piece has a solo written for an alto voice.)
  • He plays the alto saxophone. (He plays the saxophone of the second highest pitch in the sax family.)

• Adjective:

  • She has a rich alto voice. (Her singing voice is in the low female range.)
  • The alto recorder has a distinctive, mellow sound. (This type of recorder is pitched higher than a tenor but lower than a soprano.)

Advanced Usage

• "Alto clef": A C-clef placed on the third line of the staff, used primarily for viola music and sometimes for alto vocal parts.
  • The viola part is written in the alto clef.

Variants and Related Words

• Contralto (n): Often used as a more specific term for a low female alto voice, particularly one with a powerful, rich quality.
  • The opera requires a dramatic contralto for the lead role.
• Alt (n): An informal abbreviation for "alto," sometimes seen in music charts or casual contexts.
  • Can the alts please rehearse that section again?

Synonyms

• Contralto (for the lowest female voice)
• Countertenor (for the highest adult male voice in the alto range)

Related Phrases

• Alto part: The specific musical line for alto voices.
  • Please hand out the music for the alto part.
• First alto / Second alto: Divisions within an alto section, where "first alto" typically sings slightly higher notes within the alto range.
  • As a second alto, I sing the lower harmony.

Adjective

1. (of a musical instrument) second highest member of a group
   • alto clarinet or recorder
2. of or being the highest male voice; having a range above that of tenor
3. of or being the lowest female voice

Noun

1. the pitch range of the lowest female voice
2. (of a musical instrument) the second highest instrument in a family of musical instruments
3. the highest adult male singing voice
4. the lowest female singing voice
5. a singer whose voice lies in the alto clef