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"Second-lowest voice in many choirs" - NYT Mini Crossword Answer

Answer

ALTO

4 letters

Clue Analysis

Clue: "Second-lowest voice in many choirs"
Position: 2 Down
Length: 4 letters
Answer: ALTO

What is an Alto Voice?

Alto is a vocal range that typically refers to the second-lowest voice part in four-part choir arrangements. It's usually sung by women with lower voices or countertenors (men singing in falsetto).

Vocal Range:

  • • Typically G3 to F5
  • • Lower than soprano
  • • Higher than tenor
  • • Rich, warm tone quality

Choir Arrangement:

  • • Bass (lowest)
  • • Alto (second-lowest)
  • • Tenor (second-highest)
  • • Soprano (highest)

Alto in Different Musical Contexts

Choral Music

Provides harmonic support and inner voices, often carrying counter-melodies and creating rich harmonies.

Opera & Classical

Alto roles often portray mature, wise, or maternal characters with dramatic depth and emotional range.

Jazz & Popular Music

Alto voices bring warmth and richness to vocal arrangements, often featured in close harmonies.

Famous Alto Singers

Classical Altos

  • • Marian Anderson
  • • Kathleen Ferrier
  • • Christa Ludwig
  • • Janet Baker

Contemporary Altos

  • • Alicia Keys
  • • Adele
  • • Norah Jones
  • • Joni Mitchell

Alto Instruments

The term "alto" also applies to instruments that play in a similar range:

Wind Instruments

  • • Alto saxophone
  • • Alto flute
  • • Alto clarinet
  • • Alto recorder

String Instruments

  • • Viola (alto clef)
  • • Alto guitar
  • • Alto violin
  • • Alto viol

Crossword Connections

ALTO is a popular crossword answer due to its musical knowledge and useful letter pattern:

• "Choir voice"

• "Low female voice"

• "Sax type"

• "Voice below soprano"

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