alto

Nowadays, the word “alto” is a general term used to describe a lower female voice rather than a specific vocal category. Chorus music usually calls for an “alto” part for voices with a strong middle and lower register, but there's no real separate alto voice type in Western music.

In a choir, alto describes the lowest singing part written for a female voice. While occasionally men are described as altos - in which case, the word describes a fairly high pitched singing voice - it more often describes a woman whose voice is lower than a soprano.

The alto range in choral music is approximately from F3 (the F below middle C) to F5 (the second F above middle C). In common usage, alto is used to describe the voice type that typically sings this part, though this is not strictly correct.

The Four Voices - Background Essay Women's voices are classified as either soprano or alto (also called mezzo-soprano). Soprano is the highest sounding voice and alto is the lower sounding voice. Male voices are classified as tenor (highest), baritone (medium high), and bass (lowest).

The alto clef, also called the C clef, is placed on a musical staff whose middle line represents the middle C note. The middle C note, or middle C, as it is commonly called, is the C note that separates upper range notes from lower range notes. On a piano, middle C is located exactly in the middle of the keyboard.

While sopranos generally carry the melody in a group, the altos supply the harmony, which gives the choir a full rich sound. The harmony is vital to the overall sound that a choir or ensemble has.

Soprano – A high female (or boy's) voice. Alto – A low female (or boy's) voice. Tenor – A high (adult) male voice.

The four main vocal ranges are: Soprano – A high female (or boy's) voice. Alto – A low female (or boy's) voice. Tenor – A high (adult) male voice. Bass – A low (adult) male voice.

The name is derived from a musical term in Italian that translates to "high" in English. In vocal music, the alto definition refers to range and voice type.

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.

The four main vocal ranges are: Soprano – A high female (or boy's) voice. Alto – A low female (or boy's) voice. Tenor – A high (adult) male voice. Bass – A low (adult) male voice.

Among the upper voices, the alto plays the important role of filling in the space between the tenor and soprano voices. Like most middle children, the alto voice is often forgotten but still integral to keeping the family unit together.