If you have been watching Eurovision and found yourself completely captivated by the Italian entry, you are not alone. Sal Da Vinci took the stage with a performance that felt effortless, warm, and deeply musical.
Per Sempre Sì is not a song full of vocal acrobatics, and that is precisely what makes it so fascinating to analyse from a technique standpoint. There is a lot happening beneath the surface, and understanding it can genuinely transform the way you approach your own singing.
The Role of Thyroid Tilt in Per Sempre Sì
One of the most defining features of Sal Da Vinci’s vocal quality throughout this performance is the consistent use of thyroid tilt. The thyroid is the top part of the larynx, and when it tilts forward, it creates a stretch on the vocal folds.
That stretch is what produces the warmth, the sob-like quality, and the sense of depth you hear in a well-trained singing voice. In Per Sempre Sì, this quality is present from the very first note, even in the lower chest voice register where many singers lose that warmth entirely.
This is also what gives Sal Da Vinci that classic, almost cinematic quality. It is reminiscent of the great crooners. Without thyroid tilt, higher notes tend to sound harsh or pushed. With it, the voice carries a richness that connects with the listener on an emotional level.
Chest Voice and Vocal Fold Thickness
Per Sempre Sì sits comfortably in a range that does not demand extremes, and Sal Da Vinci uses that space brilliantly. He stays largely in a chest voice quality, meaning the vocal folds are thicker and vibrating more fully. Some key things this produces:
- A rich, grounded tone in the lower and mid range
- A sense of authority and ease in the delivery
- A clear distinction between verse and chorus energy without needing to shout
As the melody moves higher, there is a natural transition to a slightly thinner fold configuration. On one note, there is even a small flip into a more falsetto-like sound. Whether intentional or not, it is a reminder that even experienced performers navigate these coordination challenges live on stage.
Tongue Position and Resonance
Something worth studying closely in Sal Da Vinci’s performance of Per Somewhere Sì is his tongue position. The sides of the tongue press in from the teeth, creating what can be described as a high, tensioned position. This is not tension in a harmful sense; it is muscular engagement that contributes directly to resonance.
When the tongue is high and forward in the mouth, it helps to:
- Increase resonance in the vocal tract
- Keep the larynx more stable during singing
- Navigate consonant-heavy Italian lyrics with greater agility and clarity
This understanding of tongue position actually has deep roots in the Italian tradition of vocal teaching, which brings us to a broader point.
The Belcanto Legacy Behind Per Sempre Sì
The warmth and technique heard in Per Sempre Sì did not appear out of nowhere. Italy gave the world Belcanto, meaning beautiful singing, which was among the earliest systematic approaches to vocal training. Italian singing teachers were writing books on technique centuries ago, and many of the principles they developed still underpin modern vocal pedagogy.
The Italian vowels (e, a, r, o, u, moving from a high tongue position down to a lower one) remain a foundational tool in voice training. The idea of keeping the mouth economical, the placement consistent, and the resonance bright all trace back to this tradition. Sal Da Vinci, as a seasoned performer, carries that lineage in his voice whether consciously or not.
Performance Energy and Stage Presence
One of the most instructive things about watching Sal Da Vinci perform Per Sempre Sì is how he builds the song without simply getting louder. This is the mark of a truly experienced performer. What changes across the performance is not volume but intensity. The consonants sharpen. The delivery becomes more committed. The emotional engagement deepens.
He also maintains a slightly wider mouth position throughout, close to a gentle smile. This raises the cheeks, which in turn can help lift the soft palate and brighten the tone. It is a small detail that contributes to the overall clarity and brightness of his sound.
For those learning to sing, this is an important lesson. You do not need to be performing at maximum volume or attempting difficult runs to hold an audience. Connection, energy, and technical consistency will carry a song far more effectively than vocal fireworks alone.
What Per Sempre Sì Teaches Us About Simplicity
The most technically demanding songs are not always the ones with the highest notes or the fastest runs. Per Sempre Sì is a relatively simple melodic journey, and yet it demands complete technical control across every phrase. There is nowhere to hide. The tone has to be consistent. The resonance has to hold. The energy has to build without forcing.
Sal Da Vinci delivers all of this with the quiet confidence of someone who has been performing for a very long time. That security in the voice comes from years of training and experience, and there is no shortcut to it. But understanding what is happening technically is an excellent starting point.
If you want to learn more about how you can learn to implement these singing techniques into your own voice, let’s sit down for a chat and discuss if the vocal academy is the right fit for you. You can join us here.