contralto Definition
- 1the lowest female singing voice
- 2a woman with a contralto voice
Using contralto: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "contralto" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The choir director was looking for a contralto to sing the solo.
Example
She has a beautiful contralto voice that is perfect for jazz music.
Example
As a contralto, she can sing lower notes than most women.
contralto Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for contralto
- alto
- mezzo-soprano
Phrases with contralto
a C clef placed on the third line of the staff, used for notating the contralto voice
Example
The composer wrote the melody in the contralto clef.
a brass instrument with a deep, mellow tone, pitched in F or E-flat, and typically played by a contralto player
Example
The contralto horn is often used in orchestral music.
a saxophone with a deep, rich tone, pitched in E-flat, and typically played by a contralto player
Example
The contralto saxophone is commonly used in jazz music.
Origins of contralto
from Italian 'contra' meaning 'against' and 'alto' meaning 'high'
Summary: contralto in Brief
A 'contralto' [kənˈtræltəʊ] is the lowest female singing voice, and refers to a woman with such a voice. It is often used in music contexts, such as 'The choir director was looking for a contralto to sing the solo.' 'Contralto' extends into phrases like 'contralto clef,' used for notating the contralto voice, and 'contralto horn,' a brass instrument with a deep, mellow tone.
