In music, contralto refers to a relatively low range. There are some contralto instruments (such as the contralto flute and contralto clarinet). However, the contralto voice is the best known in this category.
Read on to learn more about this singing voice.
The contralto voice type is the lowest female singing voice. If you're a contralto, you may have a similar range to a mezzo-soprano but without the highest notes. Also, the contralto voice is almost identical in range to the countertenor, which is a male voice type.
Typically, contralto voices can sing as low as F3, which is a perfect fifth lower than middle C. The highest note for many contralto singers is F5, the top line of the treble clef. As with other voice types, some contraltos can sing lower, such as down to a D3.
Others can sing a bit higher, sometimes up to A5. Every singer is different, so it's important to consider your range when determining whether you're a contralto or not. You also need to think about other factors, such as the quality of your voice.
Initially, "contralto" was a way to classify higher male voices. That's because women weren't allowed to sing for many years. However, after women started singing in classical music, the contralto designation became one for women.
At that point, the term "countertenor" came into play for men. Both voice types are very similar with the main differentiator being the gender of the singer.
While the contralto voice is a well-known voice type, its rarity can lead to problems. Many singers with contralto voices can be incorrectly classified as mezzo-sopranos. That can lead to them singing parts that are too high, which can hurt their vocal cords.
The contralto voice has many of the same subtypes as other female voices. First, there's the coloratura contralto. A woman with this subtype has a very flexible singing voice, and she can sing elaborate melodies with ease.
Another subtype to consider is the dramatic contralto. These singers have a much darker tone than other contraltos. Dramatic contraltos can also sing much more powerfully than others with the same vocal range.
On the other hand, you also have the lyric contralto, which is a lightweight voice. Lyric contraltos are especially in demand in English and French operas. Gilbert and Sullivan also wrote a few roles for contraltos, and they fit a lyric contralto's voice best.
While contralto roles are rare in operas and musicals, they exist. Some well-known operatic roles for contralto singers include Arsace from Semiramide and Rosina from The Barber of Seville.
Gilbert and Sullivan wrote the role of Ruth from The Pirates of Penzance for the lowest female singing voice. Gershwin also wrote for the contralto voice with the role of Maria in Porgy and Bess.
A contralto can also perform the role of Orfeo from Orfeo ed Euridice by Gluck. This role was originally written for a castrato, which was a special type of male voice.
In musical theatre, the contralto voice also makes the occasional appearance. Some popular roles include Morticia Addams from The Addams Family Musical and Nessarose from Wicked.
Whether musical theatre or opera, contraltos usually take on villain roles. They can also play "trouser roles" or roles originally written for men.
Throughout history, there have been quite a few operatic contraltos. While they aren't as common as the soprano or mezzo-soprano voices, you may want to listen to some excellent singers with low voices.
Living contralto singers in classical music include AnnaMaria Cardinalli, Bernadette Manca di Nissa, and Nathalie Stutzmann. Anna Giro and Antonia Merighi were some of the earliest contraltos, having lived in the late Baroque period.
Marian Anderson was an American contralto singer, and she was one of the most famous contraltos alive during the 20th century. Dame Clara Butt was a British contralto who lived around the turn of the 20th century.
More people will probably recognize more contralto voices of other genres, such as pop music. Some famous examples include Alicia Keys, Fiona Apple, and Billie Holiday.
There's also Dianna Agron, known for her work on Glee as Quinn. Jessica Darrow is another contralto, and she voiced the character of Luisa in Encanto.
Lana Del Rey, Elizabeth Gillies, and Shakira are three more famous contralto voices. The late Amy Winehouse also had a contralto voice.
It can be easy to confuse a few contralto and mezzo-soprano singers. One of the most notable examples is Miley Cyrus, who is a mezzo-soprano, but she can sing as low as some contraltos.
The factor that sets Cyrus apart from contraltos is the quality of her voice. Many contralto singers have a more androgynous sound. Meanwhile, mezzo-soprano singers almost always sound more feminine, even in the low register.
If you have a lower female voice, consider all of the aspects of your voice. You may want to work with a vocal coach to help determine which voice type you fall into.
The contralto voice is not the same as the alto. "Contralto" is a classical voice type, whereas "alto" is a part in four-part choral music.
Now, contralto singers will almost always sing the alto part when in a choir. However, some mezzo-sopranos can also sing the alto line.
The contralto voice is the rarest of all three female voice types. Along with the low register, the androgynous sound of a contralto's voice also makes this type uncommon.
The contralto voice is the rarest female voice type. However, it's not as rare as you may think, especially when it comes to popular music.
Having a contralto voice means you're a woman with a relatively low vocal range. You may sing from around F3 to F5, give or take a few notes. However, this voice type also requires a more gender-neutral sound.
So even if you have a low vocal range, if your voice sounds more feminine, you may be a mezzo-soprano.
A contralto is a female singer with the lowest voice type for women. This voice type sits between the mezzo-soprano and tenor voices. It's similar to the male counterpart, which is the countertenor voice. Consider if you're a contralto to make sure you don't sing too high and ruin your voice.