Voix

As Printed on a Score

Appears in phrases about vocal colour above the vocal line — à mi-voix, d’une voix sommeillante, presque sans voix — and occasionally as a staff label. A colour phrase lasts until the next character word. Voix also means a contrapuntal part, as in à 3 voix or voix intérieure.

How Composers Use It

In songs, voix phrases are how French composers describe the singer’s tone: à mi-voix is mezza voce, presque sans voix a near-whisper, and Debussy’s d’une voix sommeillante asks for a drowsy colour no dynamic could specify. Use them where colour matters more than level, and add the dynamic too. In instrumental writing la voix supérieure or a voix intérieure names the strand to bring out.

Example

Debussy, Ariettes oubliées, “Green”, voice, m. 50: “d’une voix sommeillante.” at pp, with “Plus lent.” in the same bar.

Related Terms