1. Harmonies are life.
You have accepted yourself as the harmony master. When you’re in the car, singing with your friends, they are shocked. “What is that beautiful and strange noise? Could it be… harmonies? How did she do that?” You better believe it! I can sing three different harmonies to every Ed Sheeran song ever made!
2. You are a wanna-be tenor.
When the composer starts writing your part so high up in the clouds, you start dreaming of what it would be like if they would just finally let you sing the tenor part. It just seems so much more comfortable for you. Altos are all about comfort in most things.
3. OR you are a wanna-be soprano.
Depending on your range, you occasionally think, why didn’t the director see the real me? The soprano me who can totally hit those high Cs! I can do it I promise!
“...Hello?”
4. You don’t get bored easily.
16 Gs in a row? Bring it on! I’ve been trained all my life for this! It is what we have to do, our alto-ly duty! While it’s not always the most exciting part we know how important it is to set the foundation for the choir!
5. Special moments.
Who knew that changing notes could be so exciting? When we’re the only part that moves, the Alto section collectively feels so special! Even if it is only for a fleeting moment. Those two measures are all yours ladies! In addition, you get awesome harmonies that no other part could master quite like you.
6. High singing.
How do you truly sing high? I’ve tried to sing songs from Phantom of the Opera and Queen of the Night, but my high notes just don’t sound … pretty. The break in my voice is a killer! How do some girls do it so gracefully without screaming or shattering glass?
7. We’re rarely jealous or dramatic.
You’re as chill as a freezer-burnt ice pop. You don’t have the same pressure of being stars as the sopranos and tenors do, so you can relax a little more. Plus, as altos we are singing in a more grounded and comfortable space, which makes us naturally happy. More happy and comfortable singers equals very friendly altos.
8. Not singing like you speak is challenging.
Comfort is not always a good thing. One of our biggest flaws is singing like we speak. We talk in the same range as we sing, so it is natural for us to fall into this pitfall. This can make the pitch go flat and make our sounds be less than breath-driven and energized.
9. In school plays you always got the supporting part.
The nagging Mother, the old wife, the evil witch, the lead’s friend; true altos are rarely leads. This has nothing to do with talent, but range. Just take a look at Disney princesses. There are NO alto Disney princesses! C’mon Disney, please show some love for the lower girls soon!
10. You are under-appreciated but completely necessary.
No musically untrained person has ever left a performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus” and raved about how wonderful the altos' part sounded. It is a fact, we are needed to ground and support the higher voices. We don’t need the spotlight; we just need to do our alto thing!
11. You love being an alto!
It may not always be glamorous but you are an alto. Others may try to put you down, but what they don’t realize is that being an alto is pretty awesome! You have made several chill alto friends who are just like you! You also get along really well with all of the other voices' parts both during, and after singing. You know you are needed even if the audience doesn’t know it. You get really cool harmonies and add that special something to the group. You are an alto, and you will always be an alto at heart.
