Does my voice pass? (recording)

[Adam (birkin)]

Hey all,

So I'm 17 months on T tomorrow and I don't really know where my voice is at. I started out with a very high voice, so I only know it's deeper in comparison. Does it sound male? Androgynous? Would I pass to you on the phone?

Also, if anyone has any suggestions as to why it may not pass, let me know. I'm looking for honest feedback.

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1tLKDfs1ps9

[Cassandra Hyacinth]

Your voice is completely and unambiguously male. It's not even particularly high-pitched tbh - deeper than mine lol.

[Sephirah]

I don't normally like to comment on these kinds of threads, because by their very nature they tend to make me a lot more searching, and attentive to tiny details which in everyday conditions I probably wouldn't even notice. That sometimes leads to an inaccurate answer based on an isolated sample. And I don't think that counts as passing or not.

However, that being said. Having listened to the recording several times, with regard to the tone of your voice, I would say this:

Does it sound male?

Yes.

Would I pass to you on the phone?

Again yes.

Also, you sounded a little nervous, hon. *hugs*

You wanted honest feedback, so... the only slight thing I picked up on was the way you pronounce your "s". Maybe because I was actively looking for it, I don't know (hence me not normally commenting on these threads). But that is the only indicator to me of anything.

This is what I'm talking about:

http://www.medicaldaily.com/way-you-pronounce-letter-s-reveals-your-gender-244150

[Keaira]

Can I hear your voice on the phone please?

You sound like a guy. You still have that 'S' going on but, still passable male. I've chatted with you so long that I don't even notice it when we talk. It's just one of those things, like I don't get how EVERYONE says I sound female and I think I sound like a guy. I just try to accept it now, even though the rest of the world is nuts!

So what is REALLY going on?

*huggles*

[ford]

I think you pass great!

Same comment as the others about the 's' though. I have that problem too...I don't know how to fix it unless I'm actively focusing on it.

[Jamiep]

Male 100%. A little nervous but that is probably being on a public recording. "S," could be how breath passes over tongue & through teeth & lips or the recording device distorts as I find mics & audio machines do this. I don't see anything wrong with S & normal.

[Aina]

You have a very nice rich, deep male sounding voice!

[drgabriellaprice]

Hey all,

So I'm 17 months on T tomorrow and I don't really know where my voice is at. I started out with a very high voice, so I only know it's deeper in comparison. Does it sound male? Androgynous? Would I pass to you on the phone?

Also, if anyone has any suggestions as to why it may not pass, let me know. I'm looking for honest feedback.

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1tLKDfs1ps9

You sound like a man.

[Jack_M]

Definitely male, like no doubt about it. However, your afflictions do make it sound a little more camp. Nothing wrong with that but just being honest. On the phone you'd defo be considered male, just no hint otherwise, but they may think gay. That's just afflictions though. Men mostly talk in a sort of boring and monotonous drawl. Even when excited, it still doesn't move around a lot.  You just have more character to your voice.

[Evolving Beauty]

Your voice sounds female? You should be DEAF honey lol! it's 100% MALE!

[FTMDiaries]

Honest opinion: if I were to hear your voice on the phone without any information to help me guess whether you're male or female, I would absolutely, 1000% presume you to be male.

Others have mentioned the 'S', which I also noticed - but that doesn't prevent you from passing as male in the slightest. Plenty of guys have that, and they pass just fine.

You also seem to be free from the stereotypical female inflections that can cause passing problems. For example, some guys retain the female speaking pattern of raising their pitch at the end of sentences (as if you're asking a question), but you don't seem to have that problem.

So, bottom line: awesome pass, dude! 

[Adam (birkin)]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I had a feeling I was just being dysphoric, but I've never gotten any feedback on the voice issue before so this definitely helps me put it into perspective.

[Keaira]

See babe? You're good. You sound just fine. I wish it were that easy for me, lol. I doubt my voice a lot and even on video I sound male to me. But you have a lovely voice dear and it is very much a male voice. ^_^

[suzifrommd]

Trust me, dude, nothing female there.

[Christine Eryn]

TRUST me, you are a SIR all the way! 

[A]

Because it's so often women who're gonna ask about their voice, I played the clip without looking at the "M" next to the post. Instantly I went "oh, gosh, there is another very delusional trans woman right here". I was gonna post an obvious and big "no", and then you said "on T", and my reaction changed to "the hell?!".

Yeah, what the hell are you worried about? There's nothing remotely female in that voice. You're a guy A to Z. Y'need to be more confident.

Sephirah: That's very interesting, but there isn't any recording shown to compare the kinds of S. I really don't understand what it's all about. If I try to make an S sound and move my tongue backwards from my tongue while doing so, I only end up making a weird "sh" sound or sounding like I have big braces on my teeth and trouble speaking with them. Would you happen to know of such recordings that would make the S thing obvious?

[Adam (birkin)]

Because it's so often women who're gonna ask about their voice, I played the clip without looking at the "M" next to the post. Instantly I went "oh, gosh, there is another very delusional trans woman right here". I was gonna post an obvious and big "no", and then you said "on T", and my reaction changed to "the hell?!".

lmfao! Thanks

[Taka]

your voice sounds unmacho to me, but still male. also slightly immature, like trying extra hard to sound manlier (like teen boys often do). asked my daughter just to be sure, she said you're a boy.

[Sephirah]

Sephirah: That's very interesting, but there isn't any recording shown to compare the kinds of S. I really don't understand what it's all about. If I try to make an S sound and move my tongue backwards from my tongue while doing so, I only end up making a weird "sh" sound or sounding like I have big braces on my teeth and trouble speaking with them. Would you happen to know of such recordings that would make the S thing obvious?

Interesting you mention that. Since researching that I've actually tried it myself and it does make a big difference. I think the placing of the tongue is key. If you keep your tongue right up by the gap between your upper and lower teeth (sort of in the middle and forward) then it makes a far more pronounced, and almost whistling "s" sound. Which I have personally heard a great many female speakers use. Whereas when you place your tongue lower down, by the base of your bottom teeth (not further back towards your tonsils), then it makes a more dull, muted "s" sound, which I hear personally from male speakers more commonly.

Try placing your tongue below the base of your bottom teeth, and then in the middle, and see if you notice any difference.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

I listened and the first thing that came to mind was you sound like Batman.  Very sexy.