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Alto: meaning, definitions and examples

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alto

 

[ˈæl.toʊ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

music

A musical term referring to the highest male voice or the lowest female voice in a choir, or a musical instrument pitched in the treble range.

Synonyms

contralto, countertenor.

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Word Description / Examples
alto

This term is also used in the context of musical instruments, specifically the alto saxophone and alto flute. These instruments play in the alto range.

  • He plays the alto saxophone in the jazz band.
  • The alto flute has a breathy sound that adds depth to the orchestra.
contralto

This term is used to describe the lowest female singing voice. It is lower than both soprano and alto.

  • Her voice is uniquely rich; she is a true contralto.
  • The contralto part brought a deep, resonant quality to the performance.
countertenor

This term refers to a male singing voice that is unusually high, often singing in the same range as an alto or soprano. It is often heard in classical and operatic music.

  • He is one of the few countertenors in the opera company.
  • The countertenor's high notes captivated the audience.

Examples of usage

  • She sings in the alto section of the choir.
  • The alto saxophone has a rich and warm tone.
Context #2 | Noun

geography

A high place or part.

Synonyms

peak, summit.

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Word Description / Examples
alto

Typically used in musical contexts to refer to a voice, instrument, or sound that is in a middle range, above tenor but below soprano.

  • The choir needed a strong alto to balance the sopranos and tenors.
  • She plays the alto saxophone beautifully.
summit

Used to describe the topmost point, especially of a mountain. It can also refer to high-level meetings between leaders or decision-makers.

  • They celebrated reaching the summit of Mount Everest.
  • World leaders gathered for a climate summit.
peak

Refers to the highest point of something, often used in relation to mountains or performance metrics (e.g., sales, performance levels). It can also denote a moment in time such as peak hours or peak season.

  • The mountain climbers finally reached the peak.
  • She hit her peak performance during the final match.
  • Traffic is usually heaviest during peak hours.

Examples of usage

  • The village was perched on an alto overlooking the valley.
  • The hiking trail led to an alto with panoramic views.
Context #3 | Noun

Italian

A musical notation indicating that a passage is to be played in a high register.

Synonyms

high, treble.

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Word Description / Examples
alto

This term is often used in music to refer to a specific vocal range, which is lower than soprano but higher than tenor. Typically associated with female singers.

  • The choir needed an alto for the harmony
  • She sang the alto part beautifully
high

Describes something that is elevated in position or stature, not limited to musical contexts. Can refer to physical height, levels, or degrees.

  • The mountain is very high
  • She has a high level of expertise
treble

Primarily used in music to refer to the higher range of pitches or frequencies. Can also describe the setting on audio equipment that adjusts high-frequency sounds.

  • Turn up the treble to hear the cymbals better
  • The singer hit a perfect treble note

Examples of usage

  • The composer marked the passage with an 'alto' to indicate a higher pitch.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 'Alto' comes from the Italian word meaning 'high,' which originally referred to a high singing voice.
  • The term was first used in music to describe the vocal part of a choir, specifically the second highest voice.

Music Theory

  • Alto voices typically sing notes that are in the range of E3 to E5.
  • In choral music, the alto part often fills in harmonies, enriching the overall sound of the piece.

Pop Culture

  • Many famous songs prominently feature alto voices, including hits by artists like Adele and Whitney Houston.
  • In musicals, such as 'Wicked,' the character Elphaba has songs that highlight the alto range.

Psychology

  • Studies suggest that alto voices are often perceived as warm and inviting, making them popular in genres like jazz and R&B.
  • Different voice types can evoke various emotional responses in listeners, with alto often conveying depth and richness.

Performance

  • Alto singers often join choirs or vocal groups to provide harmony, enhancing the richness of the ensemble sound.
  • Alto clarinet is another instrument named because it plays in a higher range than the bass clarinet but lower than the soprano clarinet.

Translations

Translations of the word "alto" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alto

🇮🇳 ऊँचा (ooncha)

🇩🇪 hoch

🇮🇩 tinggi

🇺🇦 високий

🇵🇱 wysoki

🇯🇵 高い (takai)

🇫🇷 haut

🇪🇸 alto

🇹🇷 yüksek

🇰🇷 높은 (nopeun)

🇸🇦 عالي (aalee)

🇨🇿 vysoký

🇸🇰 vysoký

🇨🇳 高 (gāo)

🇸🇮 visok

🇮🇸 hár

🇰🇿 жоғары

🇬🇪 მაღალი (maghali)

🇦🇿 yüksək

🇲🇽 alto

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,647, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.