An adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range.
Used in a Sentence
countertenor
Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for countertenor.
Editorial note
There is a local business in Oxford, run by a retired railway engineer and countertenor, called Tiddly Pommes.
Examples6
Definitions3
Parts of speech1
Quick take
An adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of countertenor gathered in one view.
A male singing voice far higher than the typical male vocal range.
(historical) A part or section performing a countermelody against the tenor or main part.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for countertenor.
noun
An adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range.
See also: high, high-pitched, alto
noun
A male singing voice far higher than the typical male vocal range.
See also: high, high-pitched, alto
noun
(historical) A part or section performing a countermelody against the tenor or main part.
See also: high, high-pitched, alto
Example sentences
There is a local business in Oxford, run by a retired railway engineer and countertenor, called Tiddly Pommes.
This is also exactly how male countertenor singers produce a female-sounding voice, by making the vocal cavity smaller to adjust the formants upward.
In fact, in one of the old shape note tune books I've got (a reprint of The Southern Harmony, originally from 1854), the alto part is labeled "counter", suggesting it was adapted from the Reformation-era countertenor parts.
(I don’t know enough to know how that works as far as needing to modify the original parts or not.) Though conversely I’ve also seen a male countertenor paired with a female alto, so maybe it’s just generally “who’s available for this performance” rather than an issue with a general shortage.
Quote examples
In fact, in one of the old shape note tune books I've got (a reprint of The Southern Harmony, originally from 1854), the alto part is labeled "counter", suggesting it was adapted from the Reformation-era countertenor parts.
(I don’t know enough to know how that works as far as needing to modify the original parts or not.) Though conversely I’ve also seen a male countertenor paired with a female alto, so maybe it’s just generally “who’s available for this performance” rather than an issue with a general shortage.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use countertenor in a sentence?
There is a local business in Oxford, run by a retired railway engineer and countertenor, called Tiddly Pommes.
What does countertenor mean?
An adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range.
What part of speech is countertenor?
countertenor is commonly used as noun.