alto
(AL-toe)


[It. from Lat. altus - high] - [Fr., viola]

  1. A female voice of low range, (usually about G below the treble clef to C in the treble clef) also called contralto.
  2. Originally the alto was a high male voice, which, through the use of falsetto, reached the range of a female alto (this type of male voice is also called a countertenor).
  3. The second highest part of a normal four part chorus.
  4. In French, the second highest instrument of the violin family: the viola.

    Also [Eng.] viola; [Fr.] alto (m); [Ger.] Bratsche (f); [Ger.] Altgeige (f); [It.] viola (f); [Sp.] viola; [Abbr.] Va.; [Abbr.] Vla.; [Abbr.] Br.

    See also violin.

  5. In reference to instrument families such as the clarinet, flute and recorder, the second or third highest member of the family.

alto

Play Alto range example (MIDI file format)
More about the voice - More about instruments - Table of musical translations
| Dictionary Home | Dictionary Appendix |