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Contralto vs Tenor - What's the difference?

contralto | tenor |

Tenor is a coordinate term of contralto.

Tenor is a related term of contralto.



In lang=en terms the difference between contralto and tenor

is that contralto is 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 while tenor is an exact copy of a writing, set forth in the words and figures of it. It differs from purport, which is only the substance or general import of the instrument.

As an adjective tenor is

of or pertaining to the tenor part or range.

contralto

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (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.
  • Synonyms

    * alto

    Coordinate terms

    * (voice types) soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, contralto (female); countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass (male)

    tenor

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (l)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (archaic, music) Musical part or section that holds or performs the main melody, as opposed to the contratenor bassus'' and ''contratenor altus , who perform countermelodies.
  • (obsolete) duration; continuance; a state of holding on in a continuous course; general tendency; career.
  • * Gray
  • Along the cool sequestered vale of life / They kept the noiseless tenor of their way.
  • (music) Musical range or section higher than bass and lower than alto.
  • A person, instrument or group that performs in the tenor (higher than bass and lower than alto) range.
  • Tone, as of a conversation.
  • *
  • (linguistics) The subject in a metaphor to which attributes are ascribed.
  • (finance) Time to maturity of a bond.
  • Stamp; character; nature.
  • * Dryden
  • This success would look like chance, if it were perpetual, and always of the same tenor .
  • (legal) An exact copy of a writing, set forth in the words and figures of it. It differs from purport , which is only the substance or general import of the instrument.
  • (Bouvier)
  • That course of thought which holds on through a discourse; the general drift or course of thought; purport; intent; meaning; understanding.
  • * Shakespeare
  • When it [the bond] is paid according to the tenor .
  • * Spart
  • Does not the whole tenor of the divine law positively require humility and meekness to all men?

    Derived terms

    * Old Tenor, Middle Tenor, New Tenor

    Coordinate terms

    * (voice types) soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, contralto (female); countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass (male)

    See also

    * ("tenor" on Wikipedia)

    Adjective

    (-)
  • of or pertaining to the tenor part or range
  • He has a tenor voice.

    Anagrams

    * ----