Messa di voce is a vocal or musical technique for advanced singers. It entails holding a note for a long time and gradually changing the volume. In a messa di voce, the singer or musician begins quietly and gradually raises the volume, maintaining the same note at the same pitch, until reaching a crescendo and then lowering the volume.
The word messa does not translate to “middle” in English, which is one of the most important aspects of this Italian term. This meaning can be found in words like mezzanine or, in musical terms, mezzo-soprano. A different term for this is messa di voce, which means “marking” or “placing” the voice.
The messa di voce became popular as a musical technique during the Baroque period. According to some musical experts, the musical technique is primarily associated with a type of singing known as “Bel Canto.” The technique, which requires a lot of discipline, is sometimes used in music lessons. The musical terms “pianissimo” and “piano,” as well as “forte” and “fortissimo,” can be used instructors to describe the changes that must be made and the results that must be achieved.
The messa di voce is becoming less popular in modern times. This technique, however, creates an interesting contrast within a musical piece and is still used in some dynamic vocal genres. If singers who are learning advanced vocal techniques master this technique, they will be considered advanced. Many vocal instructors claim that this technique is helpful in teaching singers how to direct their voices for complex recitals or vocal compositions that necessitate more sophisticated diaphragm control.
Technically, the messa di voce requires sub-glottal aerodynamic pressure from the diaphragm, which some people would describe as pressure below the throat. As a result, this technique can assist singers in developing greater vocal strength for genres such as opera. The messa di voce can be included in modern musician training as part of a larger, more comprehensive vocal instruction.
Some musicians now associate the term with software or technology products that alter the human voice in some way. A software program, for example, could be used to create alternating crescendo and decresendo in vocals. A studio software system could include an artificial messa di voce technique.