A singing voice that is lower than a soprano but higher than a tenor, often sung by women or boys. It can also refer to the part of music written for that voice.
From Italian *alto*, meaning “high,” from Latin *altus* (“high, deep”). In early choral music, the *contralto* part was the “high” voice above the tenor, which is why the word for “high” ended up labeling a relatively low female voice today.
It’s ironic: “alto” comes from a word meaning “high,” yet we use it for one of the lower female voice parts. Historically, it was high compared to the tenor, not compared to sopranos. So “high” and “low” in music depend on which voices you’re comparing.
In Western choral traditions, 'alto' parts have often been associated with women and boys, and later with female contraltos, within heavily gendered vocal classifications. This sometimes led to assumptions that certain vocal ranges belong to specific genders.
Use 'alto' strictly as a vocal range or part, and avoid equating it with a particular gender; specify voice type without gendered expectations.
["low voice part","alto range"]
Acknowledge women and gender-diverse singers who have expanded and challenged traditional vocal-gender norms.
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