The difference between Contralto and Tenor

When used as nouns, contralto means 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, whereas tenor means a musical range or section higher than bass and lower than alto.


Tenor is also adjective with the meaning: of or pertaining to the tenor part or range.

check bellow for the other definitions of Contralto and Tenor

  1. Contralto as a 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.

  1. Tenor as a noun (music):

    A musical range or section higher than bass and lower than alto.

  2. Tenor as a noun:

    A person, instrument or group that performs in the tenor range.

  3. Tenor as a noun (archaic, music):

    A musical part or section that holds or performs the main melody, as opposed to the contratenor bassus and contratenor altus, who perform countermelodies.

  4. Tenor as a noun:

    The lowest tuned in a ring of bells.

  5. Tenor as a noun:

    Tone, as of a conversation.

  6. Tenor as a noun (obsolete):

    duration; continuance; a state of holding on in a continuous course; general tendency; career.

  7. Tenor as a noun (linguistics):

    The subject in a metaphor to which attributes are ascribed.

  8. Tenor as a noun (finance):

    Time to maturity of a bond.

  9. Tenor as a noun:

    Stamp; character; nature.

  10. Tenor as a noun (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.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Bouvier"

  11. Tenor as a noun:

    That course of thought which holds on through a discourse; the general drift or course of thought; purport; intent; meaning; understanding.

  12. Tenor as a noun (colloquial, musici):

    A tenor saxophone.

  1. Tenor as an adjective:

    Of or pertaining to the tenor part or range.

    Examples:

    "He has a tenor voice."