👉 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.
Alright class, settle down now, let’s dive in with a sound! Today we’re tackling ‘alto,’ a word you’ll hear quite often when studying music. The dictionary gives us a good start, don't you think? Let’s break it down nice and slow: “A musical part or section…higher than tenor…lower than soprano…” Think of it like this - imagine a little ladder, reaching up high! Soprano is the very top rung, singing the highest notes – bright and clear. Then comes alto , a step down, a lovely middle voice, with a richer tone you see. And finally, tenor sits lower still, providing a strong and grounded plea! The dictionary also tells us it used to play a special role – a countermelody, floating above the main tune. It would weave its own little story alongside the melody, adding depth and texture to the sound. So, 'alto' means a middle-range female voice in music, a supportive friend to the soprano and a grounding force for the tenor. Got it? Any questions before we move on to our next musical concept?
