Altist

Altist is a term used in music to denote a performer who specializes in the alto range, most commonly an alto saxophonist or an alto vocalist. The word describes someone who plays or sings parts written for the alto register in ensembles or solo settings. In practice, altists are identified by their focus on alto parts, though the exact usage varies by context and instrument.

Etymology and variants: Altist is formed from alto plus the agent suffix -ist. While altist is attested in musical writing, a more common spelling is altoist. The form altiste is found in French sources, and both spellings appear in English-language discussions depending on publication style.

Usage and context: In jazz and contemporary classical settings, an altoist may be the musician who regularly handles alto saxophone parts or plays in the alto range of passages. In vocal music, an altist might refer informally to a singer who frequently performs alto parts, though the term “alto” is more typical for describing the part or vocal range than the individual. The use of altist versus altoist is largely a matter of writer preference and regional practice.

Relation to other terms: The term is distinct from related musical descriptors and should not be confused with unrelated uses of “Alt” in computing or with broader designations like “alto” or “saxophonist.” In most professional music writing, altoist or altoist remains the standard form for describing a performer specializing in the alto register.

See also: Alto (voice), Alto saxophone, Alto part, Saxophonist.