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alto Definition

alto (al′tō)

noun pl. -·tos

  1. the range of the lowest female voice or the highest male voice; specif.,
    1. contralto
    2. countertenor
    1. a voice or singer with such a range
    2. an instrument with a similar range within its family, as an alto saxophone
    3. a part for such a voice or instrument
  3. in four-part harmony, the second highest part

Etymology: It < L altus, high: see altitude

adjective

of, for, or having the range of an alto

alto Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • sing: I sing alto in a local choral society where we are currently learning Mozart's Requiem.
  • play: In the early 1970s, Greg did a two year stint playing lead alto with the Ray Charles orchestra.
  • use: For Mozart I would use Bach alto, small bore tenor, large bore tenor.
  • have: They have alto a little Garden for Herbs, Onions, &c.
  • intend: During this period it appears that Bruckner also intended an alto as the first trombone in his compositions.
  • include: The Premier Flute Choir has been fortunate enough to benefit from expanding the range of instruments to include an alto and bass flute.

Noun used with modifier

  • solo: Paul McCreesh Bach Cantatas for solo alto - Harmonia Mundi - La Chapelle Royale, dir.
  • lead: Vic moved to Leeds in 1948 playing lead alto in many of the clubs and ballrooms of the time.
  • bore: I was never interested in a 0.500 " bore alto.

Adjective modifier

  • male: The BOGS has always been a completely adult band of singers with a male alto top line.
  • lead: In the early 1970s, Greg did a two year stint playing lead alto with the Ray Charles orchestra.
  • high: The B&S alto trombone is a high quality budget alto which has been very well received.
  • new: Look out for the new Reference altos that should appear by Easter 2003.

Modifies a noun

  • trombone: I have played alto trombone on a couple of things.
  • sax: The alto sax is arguably the most popular sax on the planet.
  • saxophone: He took up the alto saxophone in his high school band.
  • clef: A part in alto clef, for instance, does not necessarily demand an alto trombone.
  • saxophonist: In 1953 the great alto saxophonist visited Canada to play with the members of Montreal's Jazz Workshop.
  • trombonist: The alto trombonist must be very vigilant with the intonation, since the low register requires long shifts of the slide between notes.

Preposition: in

choir: It's a standing joke among altos in choirs that the middle line is always, always, indescribably naff.