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Alto Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'alto'

Main points about word origin

  • '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.

The word 'alto' has its origins in Italian, where it originally meant 'high'. In music, the term came to be used to refer to the high male or low female voice ranges. Over time, it has also been used to describe musical instruments pitched in the treble range. In geography, 'alto' is used to describe high places or parts, such as a mountain peak or summit. The word has evolved to have multiple meanings across different contexts.

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.