Contralto vs. Countertenor
Contraltonoun
(music) The lowest female voice or voice part, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. The terms contralto and alto refer to a similar musical pitch, but among singers, the term contralto is reserved for female singers; the equivalent male form is counter-tenor. Originally the contratenor altus was a high countermelody sung against the tenor or main melody.
Contraltonoun
The part sung by the highest male or lowest female voices; the alto or counter tenor.
Contraltoadjective
Of or pertaining to a contralto, or to the part in music called contralto; as, a contralto voice.
Contraltonoun
a woman singer having a contralto voice
Contraltonoun
the lowest female singing voice
Contraltoadjective
of or being the lowest female voice
Contraltonoun
the lowest female singing voice
Contraltonoun
a singer with a contralto voice.
Contraltonoun
a part written for a contralto voice.
Contralto
A contralto (Italian pronunciation: [konˈtralto]) is a type of classical female singing voice whose vocal range is the lowest female voice type.The contralto's vocal range is fairly rare; similar to the mezzo-soprano, and almost identical to that of a countertenor, typically between the F below middle C (F3 in scientific pitch notation) to the second F above middle C (F5), although, at the extremes, some voices can reach the D below middle C (D3) or the second B♭ above middle C (B♭5). The contralto voice type is generally divided into the coloratura, lyric, and dramatic contralto.
Countertenornoun
adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range
Countertenornoun
male singing voice far higher than the typical male vocal range
Countertenornoun
(Older) a part or section performing a countermelody against the tenor or main part
Countertenornoun
a male singer with a voice above that of a tenor
Countertenornoun
the highest adult male singing voice
Countertenoradjective
of or being the highest male voice; having a range above that of tenor
Countertenor
A countertenor (also contra tenor) is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to that of the female contralto or mezzo-soprano voice types, generally extending from around G3 to D5 or E5, although a sopranist (a specific kind of countertenor) may match the soprano's range of around C4 to C6. Countertenors often are baritones or tenors at core, but only on rare occasions they use their lower vocal range, instead preferring their falsetto or high head voice.
