My voice is changing too fast :( I can't sing anymore

OlivierDeSillegue · February 12, 2013, 06:43:38 PM

I must say that at first I was a little weirded out, and then pleased by the fact that my voice had dropped at least a demi-octave in such a short time. Right now, I can only speak normally, but if I try to sing, even a little bit, it hurts. It feels like I am straining my vocal cords even with the barest of musical notes. I'm horrified right now! What is going on? I can't even sing low anymore!!!!

aleon515 · February 12, 2013, 06:47:44 PM

I know of a couple people that still sing. With some of them their female voice was better, but most of them went thru a period where they couldn't sing. One of my friends sings in a quartet.

--Jay

geek · February 12, 2013, 07:19:55 PM

Vocal coach maybe? They can probably help you much like they help teenage boys rein theirs in

OlivierDeSillegue · February 12, 2013, 07:22:45 PM

I would definitely try, but I tried searching for one and couldn't find anything in my city. Besides, my wallet is rather on the lighter side right now, as it's the slow season at my workplace... :3

I'm used to being able to sing and hum while I'm working or doing chores, and it feels upsetting not being able to because it sounds like a duck quack whenever I open my mouth. >.<

aleon515 · February 12, 2013, 09:37:26 PM

How long have you been on T, from what i have heard it may take awhile for your voice to stabilize.

--Jay

OlivierDeSillegue · February 12, 2013, 10:12:08 PM

Tomorrow will be my seventh shot, so seven weeks now :3 Everywhere I read that voice changes took more like months to start, but my transaction seems to be rather quick. I see very little difference in hair growth (then again, even pre T I was rather hairy, so...). But the voice... It's actually a little scary how it's changing so quickly.

aleon515 · February 12, 2013, 10:55:31 PM

Quote from: OlivierDeSillegue on February 12, 2013, 10:12:08 PM
Tomorrow will be my seventh shot, so seven weeks now :3 Everywhere I read that voice changes took more like months to start, but my transaction seems to be rather quick. I see very little difference in hair growth (then again, even pre T I was rather hairy, so...). But the voice... It's actually a little scary how it's changing so quickly.

No, no that's too soon to know how your voice will come out. It takes more like a year (??) for the voice to stabilize. You might look up someone on youtube called owenthegenderboy.
I've heard that if you go low dose for a year that it would keep your voice from pinching, but I don't think a lot of guys would do this or be happy with that. I also don't think that there is any research on it.

--Jay

Kreuzfidel · February 13, 2013, 12:23:07 AM

I'm just over a year on T and have all but lost my ability to sing. I was classically trained and know all about technique, but nothing I have tried to date has helped - I do agree with what has been said in that it will improve with time. It can take years for your voice to reach its final pitch, so don't give up hope - I'm not.

OlivierDeSillegue · February 13, 2013, 12:32:04 AM

Quote from: Kreuzfidel on February 13, 2013, 12:23:07 AM
I'm just over a year on T and have all but lost my ability to sing. I was classically trained and know all about technique, but nothing I have tried to date has helped - I do agree with what has been said in that it will improve with time. It can take years for your voice to reach its final pitch, so don't give up hope - I'm not.

That is certainly chilling, to say the least I'm really sorry, I have some measure of an idea of how you must be feeling. I never had the financial means to receive singing lessons (I mostly did choirs and solos during school), but it must be gut-wrenching to not be able to sing anymore at all. I really don't want this to happen to me. <.> All the same, I'll keep hope. Hope that I'll be able to regain some voice power and to perhaps hear you sing one day. Or maybe we could make a singing duo?

luna nyan · February 13, 2013, 04:14:47 AM

It will take time for the voice to settle down before you feel comfortable with singing again.
Voice breaking varies from person to person - some people just slide downwards, and others really do "break" and go through a period where it's just not possible to sing.

Even cis guys who like to sing can really struggle for a while to find their range - personally, I didn't really feel comfortable singing as a baritone/tenor for quite a few years after my voice broke. Now it's just as bad trying to go back the other way as a counter-tenor/alto/whatever I can manage. :/

Natkat · February 13, 2013, 11:42:22 AM

just keep practice and remember to change the standard from time to time to follow with your voice.
pre T I could sing something in G then now I have to sing it in C,

OlivierDeSillegue · February 13, 2013, 11:50:12 AM

Quote from: Natkat on February 13, 2013, 11:42:22 AM
just keep practice and remember to change the standard from time to time to follow with your voice.
pre T I could sing something in G then now I have to sing it in C,

Well, right now, when I try to sing, I sound like a croaking frog. I dropped half an octave, just like that, a week ago. It looks like I'm nowhere near done though.

Mosaic dude · February 13, 2013, 06:03:32 PM

I'll miss my singing voice too.

I'd imagine that with all the changes going on you're just not physically able to produce resonance the way you used to. It could take a couple of years to settle down.

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My voice is changing too fast :( I can't sing anymore