The voice

In open score and other choral sheet music, alto parts were originally written in the alto clef. These parts are now written in the treble clef in modern scores. In short score, the alto part is written on the treble clef below the soprano part. The stems on the alto notes always point downward.

Instruments

'Alto' is also the equivalent to 'tall' in spanish. It is typically used as an adjective for describing a person.

Example: "El hombre es muy alto."

Translation: "The man is very tall."

Al"to (#), n.; pl. Altos (#). [It. alto high, fr. L. altus. Cf. Alt.]

1. Mus.

Formerly the part sung by the highest male, or counter-tenor, voices; now the part sung by the lowest female, or contralto, voices, between tenor and soprano. In instrumental music it now signifies the tenor.

2.

An alto singer.

Alto clef Mus. the counter-tenor clef, or the C clef, placed so that the two strokes include the middle line of the staff.

Moore.

© Webster 1913.