This Is The Most Boring (And Effective) Warm-Up You’ll Ever Do
Some warm-ups might feel more “productive” than others.
Because they involve a lot of movement and sensation (e.g. scales, sirens, runs) so it feels like you’re really working your voice.
But today’s warm-up is not that.
Messa di voce is essentially one long note that starts quiet, grows loud, and then fades back down.
All on a single breath.
It looks (and sounds) incredibly boring.
But underneath that simplicity, it’s quietly doing a lot of heavy lifting for your voice.
This exercise helps build steady breath support and control while training your voice to move smoothly between soft and powerful singing… without pushing or gripping.
It’s especially useful for developing a healthier, more balanced mix and learning how to sing with both power and control in the same breath.
It’s one of those exercises that reveals a lot about your voice: where you’re stable, where you’re wobbly, and where you might be relying on tension instead of support.
And because it’s so exposed, it’s also incredibly effective at training the kind of control that carries over into healthier belting and stronger, more consistent singing overall.
In this video, I walk you through how to do it step by step: first on the straw (which makes it a little more forgiving), and then on an “oo” vowel so you can really feel what’s happening in your voice.
I know it sounds a bit counterintuitive, but if you want better control, smoother transitions, and a voice that feels more reliable when you sing?
This is the kind of work that actually moves the needle.
Try it.
Hate it.
Do it anyway.
Your voice will thank you.
Want more structured workouts like this (without having to figure it all out on your own)?
The Singing / Straw App gives you guided versions of exercises like this, plus monthly livestreams, a supportive community, and ad-free access to my most popular workouts. You can try it free for 7 days here:
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