altissimo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/TechnicalSpecialist/Formal
Quick answer
What does “altissimo” mean?
(in music) an instruction to play in an extremely high register, typically the highest notes of an instrument's range.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(in music) an instruction to play in an extremely high register, typically the highest notes of an instrument's range.
Used to describe a passage of music performed in the highest possible register. Can be used figuratively (rarely) to describe anything very high in pitch or position.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in core meaning. Usage is identical in both musical traditions.
Connotations
Conveys precision, technical difficulty, and often a brilliant or piercing sound quality in both contexts.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined almost exclusively to musical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “altissimo” in a Sentence
The composer wrote 'altissimo' for the flute solo.He practised for weeks to master the altissimo.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “altissimo” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The flautist played the phrase altissimo, with a pure, brilliant tone.
American English
- The final chord is marked altissimo, so make sure you can reach that G.
adjective
British English
- The piece required an altissimo clarinet part that was fiendishly difficult.
- She was famed for her altissimo vocal control.
American English
- The score's altissimo trumpet notes challenge even the best players.
- Mastering the altissimo range is key for jazz saxophonists.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used only in musicology, performance studies, or instrument-specific research.
Everyday
Never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Standard technical term in music, especially for wind instruments (clarinet, trumpet, flute) and in vocal music.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “altissimo”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “altissimo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “altissimo”
- Using it as a general adjective for 'tall' or 'elevated'.
- Pronouncing the 't' as a soft 't' or 'ch' sound. It's /tɪs/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a loanword from Italian, fully naturalised in English musical terminology.
No, this would be an incorrect and obscure metaphorical extension. Use 'very high', 'towering', or 'skyscraper' instead.
'Alto' refers to a high voice or instrument (e.g., alto saxophone), but 'altissimo' is a specific instruction meaning 'the very highest possible register' for that instrument or voice.
Stress the second syllable: al-TIS-i-mo. The 't' is hard /t/, and the final 'o' is /əʊ/ in British English and /oʊ/ in American English.
(in music) an instruction to play in an extremely high register, typically the highest notes of an instrument's range.
Altissimo is usually specialist/formal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No common idioms for this term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'alt' from 'altitude' (high) combined with 'issimo' (the Italian superlative suffix, like 'fortissimo'). Altissimo = 'the most high'.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIGH STATUS IS HIGH PITCH (in rare figurative use: 'the altissimo of political office').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the word 'altissimo' primarily used?