Vocal Feminization (My MtF~HRT Journey)
With the COVID-19 Isolation underway, and with orders to remain home...I’ve decided to tackle something that I have wanted to work on for quite some time: Vocal Feminization.
One of the most important aspects (in my opinion) is the need to sound feminine in order to pass. Three things can help you accomplish this feat: Your Face, Your Voice & Your Body Language.
I have learned that we as humans are in-tuned to pick up things that do not match. For example, watch a video of a transwoman (without vocal feminization) and listen to her voice. You’ll immediately pick up on clues that something does not add up. The voice seems not to match the face. We can immediately deduct that this individual is trans by the way they sound without inquiry. Now watch a video of a transwoman (with a few months of vocal feminization) and without prior knowledge, your brain will not register anything odd for awhile.
As a soundtechnologist, I was trained to detect the slightest variance in tone and pitch while mixing sound to improve vocals of the singer...this training has allowed me to detect these difference not only in the other individuals whom’s video’s I’ve watch for research; but notice that my own voice isn’t quite ‘feminine’ which I listen to it on recording.
That is a major question that I find myself asking. With all my years in choir and vocal training...we never really covered the art of vocal feminization as I was considered ‘inappropriate’ for the arts.
Luckily, things have begun to change and the art of vocal feminization is still in its infancy. Luckily, there are many other brave Transwomen whom have shared their experiences, lessons and results to show that it is possible for any cis-male to acquire a feminine voice. But getting there means dedication, practice and commitment to a regiment.
Now...writing this blog does not mean that I have all the answers or solutions at this time. I am like any of my readers...I too am starting from the beginning, committed to a regiment that five transwomen have spoken of on Youtube and other blogs whom I will cite at the end of my article so you can read what they’ve written and watch videos of lessons...
From all that I’ve learned...the first lesson of vocal feminization is all about your larynx...
Your larynx controls the Pitch of your voice. The higher your larynx, the higher your voice. The lower your larynx, the lower your voice. As we talk, our larynx moves up and down to form mixed pitch. For women, the larynx is situated higher in the throat and thus produces high pitch whereas in men, the larynx settles lower in puberty and the voice is deeper in pitch.
So, for the first lesson in Vocal Feminization is that we must learn to control our larynx and work on MUSCLE CONTROL...I have heard this over and over from all the authors. To attain a feminize voice, you must work on muscle control.
LESSON ONE: MUSCLE CONTROL
To work of muscle control I’ve read that swallowing saliva or water. Place your fingers over your larynx and feel it rise when you swallow. Now swallow again and hold your swallow when your Adam’s Apple is at its highest. (Warning, you will be unable to breathe at this moment) Hold for a few seconds and relax and repeat. Try to hold your swallow longer each time (but if it hurts, stop!). Do this for about 10 minutes in the morning and night as your regiment and throughout the day if you like.
According to https://anerdytransgirl.com/how-to-completely-feminize-your-voice/, about a week or doing this, she says that you should start to feel the muscles hold up your larynx for a moment. Now relax your tongue to breathe and see if the larynx is holding fast. (She comments that it will feel weird at first). Keep up your regiment once in the morning and once at night for 5-10 minutes
In 2-3 weeks, begin humming. Anerdytransgirl comments that you will notice that your pitch will be higher. She advises that your try humming pitch with a piano (with range between C-E). She advises that you go to high as it will not sound natural...which I agree.
LESSON TWO: TURNING PITCH INTO WORDS
After a month of muscle control, you will want to begin with humming. I find humming is very useful in vocal control as it helps your form scale.
Anerdytransgirl advises that you start with mimicry, echolalia. She mentioned mimicking female newscasters as they speak in a monotone type voice with a lower register. She advised avoiding high-pitch sounds as it will be difficult.
When I was in vocal training, we would hum at the pitch desired and slowly turn that pitch into into a single letter and then that letter into a word:
Start off simple and work on complex sentences. Find the pitch that is comfortable to you...do not falsetto! It will not sound real and could cause issues for you in the future. You can always dive into falsetto during times of joy or happiness to form character.
We’ll end here and try this regiment and I’ll post on how it is going.
https://anerdytransgirl.com/how-to-completely-feminize-your-voice/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWWevU4A5mU&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBYlEnfAUbrYSwF0VujcmHA
https://www.reddit.com/r/transvoice/comments/d3clhe/ls_voice_training_guide_level_1_for_mtf/
