The contra alto (below alto) clarinet is pitched a full octave below the E♭ alto clarinet, just as the contrabass clarinet is pitched a full octave below a bass clarinet. It is called a "contra alto" clarinet to distinguish it from "contralto," the lowest range for a female singer. While contraltos like Cher and Annie Lennox have a powerful low range, the contra alto clarinet can play nearly two octaves lower than they can sing.