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