The 10 worst things about being an alto

19 October 2018, 15:02

Worst things alto

Even though you’re literally the glue that holds the soprano line to the lower parts, you are perpetually under-appreciated. Altos, be strong – these are the ten reasons why your life is hard.

1. Composers don’t care about giving you nice melodies

Sure, I can jump from a D flat to a C, that’s a perfectly reasonable interval.

*fake smile*

via GIPHY

2. Your harmonies are either moronically boring…

Alto lines

3. ... or insanely complex

There’s no happy medium between unnecessarily fiendish intervals and singing the same note for 56 bars (see also: viola players).

B flat flat 

We have NO TIME for your diminished fifths, Fauré.

4. The alto part in Joby Talbot's Path of Miracles

Joby Talbot, you’re a musical genius. But how the heck are we supposed to hit the right note with the sopranos screaming over the top of us like that?

5. People expect you to understand the alto clef “because you’re an alto”

As if ANYONE has the time to count up and down from middle C every time they sing a note.

Alto clef meme

via GIPHY

Why does this clef even exist?

6. Sometimes, the tenors sing higher than you and it’s not ok

Part-crossing was literally made to turn your brain to mush.

tenors above altos

THAT’S ENOUGH OF THAT, TCHAIKOVSKY.

7. Pedal notes are your extremely boring enemy

WE ARE NOT A VOCAL PIANO.

pedal note

8. You’re a permanent victim of middle-child syndrome

“Sopranos, let’s go over your part. Tenors and basses, I’ll come to you in a sec. Altos… it sounded fine to me, no need to go over yours again.”

via GIPHY

Why won’t you include us?

9. You’re always ‘the evil one’ in every musical or opera

Be prepared for a lifetime of playing witches, unattractive old ladies and bitter stepmothers. 

via GIPHY

We’re on your side, Idina.

10. And when you do get the romantic lead, you never get the guy.

via GIPHY

You’ll probably die at some point, too.

via GIPHY

But when we get to sing gorgeously crunchy harmonies like this, we wouldn’t change it for the world...