alto
nounUK /ˈæl.təʊ/ · US /ˈæl.toʊ/
Etymology Borrowed from Italian alto (“high”). Doublet of old.
1
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.
2
A person or musical instrument that performs the alto part.
3
Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music Colloquial An alto saxophone.
- Synonyms
- contratenor altus, high countertenor
- Derived terms
- alto clarinet, alto clef, alto cliff, alto flute, alto horn, altoist, alto recorder, alto sax
- Coordinate terms
- SATB