alto Definition
- 1the range of musical notes sung by a low female or young male voice
- 2a singer with such a voice
- 3a musical instrument pitched in the alto range, especially a saxophone
Using alto: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "alto" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She has an alto voice and can sing low notes very well.
Example
The choir needs more altos to balance out the sound.
Example
He plays the alto saxophone in the jazz band.
alto Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with alto
a type of musical notation used for instruments with a range in the alto register, such as the viola
Example
The viola part is written in the alto clef.
Example
The alto flute has a lower and mellower sound than the regular flute.
Example
The alto recorder is often used in early music ensembles.
Origins of alto
from Italian 'alto', meaning 'high'
Summary: alto in Brief
'Alto' [ˈæltəʊ] refers to the range of musical notes sung by a low female or young male voice, or a singer with such a voice. It can also refer to a musical instrument pitched in the alto range, such as the saxophone. Phrases like 'alto clef' and 'alto recorder' denote specific types of musical notation and instruments, respectively. 'Alto' is often used in contrast to 'soprano,' 'tenor,' 'baritone,' and 'bass.'