What is the definition of the word alto?
1a : countertenor. b : contralto. 2 : the second highest voice part in a 4-part chorus. 3 : a member of a family of instruments having a range lower than that of the treble or soprano especially : an alto saxophone.
Who has an alto voice?
The four main vocal ranges are: Soprano – A high female (or boy’s) voice. Alto – A low female (or boy’s) voice.
Why does alto mean?
“Alto” Defined According to the Spanish Royal Academy’s dictionary, the second reference to alto with “stop” as its meaning is commonly found on road signs in Central America, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, and it comes from the German halt. The German verb halten means to stop.
Is alto high or low?
Alto, (Italian: “high”), in vocal music the register approximately between the F below middle C to the second D above—the second highest part in four-part music. The word alto originally referred to the highest male voice, singing falsetto (see countertenor).
Are altos rare?
A true alto is rare, and many female altos can be classified as a mezzo-soprano.
Is Adele alto?
No, Adele is not a soprano. The Rumor Has It singer has a voice that is categorized as mezzo-soprano or mezzo for short. The main difference between a soprano and a mezzo is their comfort with high notes.
Why do Spanish stop signs say Alto?
Both signs signify for a driver to stop. But, the word “alto” does not traditionally mean stop in Spanish. Parar is the Spanish verb meaning “to stop.” In Spanish, the word alto commonly serves as a descriptive word meaning “high” or “loud.” As in, the book is up high on a shelf, or the boy shouted loudly.
Who are some famous alto singers?
– Annie Lennox. Born in 1954, Annie Lennox is a Scottish songwriter and a singer. – Chaka Khan. Her real name is Yvette Marie Stevens, but you probably didn’t know that, so we’ll just stick with Chaka. – Cher. – Gladys Knight. – Oleta Adams. – Anita Baker. – Patsy Cline. – Sade. – Toni Braxton.
What is the plural of Alto?
alto (plural altos) An alto saxophone. A musical part or section higher than tenor and lower than soprano, formerly the part that performed a countermelody above the tenor or main melody. A person or musical instrument that performs the alto part.
What is the definition of Alto?
Definition of alto (Entry 2 of 2) : relating to or having the range or part of an alto music : a singing voice that is lower than the voice of a soprano and higher than the voice of a tenor also : a singer having such a voice : having a range that is lower than a soprano and higher than a tenor
What is the range of an alto?
In SATB four-part mixed chorus, the alto is the second highest vocal range, above the tenor and bass and below the soprano. The alto range in choral music is approximately from F 3 (the F below middle C) to F 5 (the F in the second octave above middle C).