Alto vocal range
An alto sings from about F3 to F5, two octaves. The lowest female voice. In opera the lowest is called a contralto; in a choir, alto is the part below the sopranos.
What a alto sounds like
Deep, rich and dark, with a strong low end. True contraltos are rare.
In a choir: The second part from the top, under the sopranos, often holding the harmony. Altos are written in the treble clef.
Parts written for alto
Contralto parts are few: Erda in Wagner’s Ring and Ulrica in Verdi’s A Masked Ball. In a choir, any lower female voice sings alto.
Where it sits among the voice types
Find out where your own voice sits with the vocal range test.
Questions about the alto range
What is an alto’s range?
About two octaves, from F3, below middle C, up to F5. Choir alto parts sit lower, from about G3 to D5.
Is alto the same as contralto?
Nearly. Contralto is the classical voice type, the lowest female voice; alto is the choir part that contraltos and many mezzos sing.
How do I know if I am an alto?
Find your range with a vocal range test: if it runs from about F3 to F5, and your voice feels easiest and sounds best in the middle of that, alto fits. A voice teacher also listens for where your voice changes gear and how it sounds.
Other voice types
All six side by side are on the vocal ranges page.
Are you an alto?
Sing from your lowest note to your highest into your mic and see your range and the voice type it fits. Free, with nothing recorded.
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