Feminine voice training

[Rambler]

So I have a long time ahead of me and some saving to do before I'm ready to take on vocal lessons from a professional, but Ilsince my voice is one of the most important things to get right to me, I want to take all of the steps I can to train myself now.

Can anyone recommend any instructional videos online or in DVD/CD form? So far, I've found that playing around with my voice is easy to do during my half hour car ride to and from work every day, so I love the idea of a CD for guided exercises.

Additionally, I'm also curious about online lessons, are there any reputable but reasonably priced professionals? So far all of the professionals I'm finding charge in the $80-$100 range for an hour session, I would ideally like to find something less costly, but I'm open to doing occasional professional lessons and heavily supplementing with work at home to save money.

Thoughts & suggestions?

Thanks ladies!

[EmilyMK03]

I found the Kathe Perez 30-day crash course to be a helpful foundation for my voice training:
http://30daycrashcourse.com/

While it laid the groundwork, I did not have a feminine voice after the 30-day course.  But I still think it was worth it.

There is also the Andrea James voice training DVD.  I tried that too, but it didn't really do anything for me.  It did help a lot of other trans women though, so it might work for you.

Ultimately I did take private voice lessons with a professional voice trainer, and that's when my voice really took off.  My voice trainer's pricing is $80 an hour, which I think is exceptionally low given her years of trans voice experience.  Her background education is also impressive - a master's in vocal performance and pedagogy.

I really don't think you'll find any experienced, reputable voice coaches who charge less than that.  Kathe Perez, for example, charges $150 just for Skype lessons.

[DawnOday]

I found the Kathe Perez 30-day crash course to be a helpful foundation for my voice training:
http://30daycrashcourse.com/

While it laid the groundwork, I did not have a feminine voice after the 30-day course.  But I still think it was worth it.

There is also the Andrea James voice training DVD.  I tried that too, but it didn't really do anything for me.  It did help a lot of other trans women though, so it might work for you.

Ultimately I did take private voice lessons with a professional voice trainer, and that's when my voice really took off.  My voice trainer's pricing is $80 an hour, which I think is exceptionally low given her years of trans voice experience.  Her background education is also impressive - a master's in vocal performance and pedagogy.

I really don't think you'll find any experienced, reputable voice coaches who charge less than that.  Kathe Perez, for example, charges $150 just for Skype lessons.

I found Kathe's lessons were based on a voice in the 240htz range. Way to high. My voice cracks about 185. My therapist Emili is having me work on mine just under that at F3 and 175htz. You might want do pitch glides to find where your voice cracks and then aim for just under that.

[DawnOday]

One of the things you need to is download "DA Tuner" to your cell. This app monitors your pitch for both scale and Htz. Then try Kathe Perezs training trying for only the 175 htz range. This pitch is F3. The app also has a pitch pipe to play the tone for you to find your range. Then since you know what your target is, it is much easier to zero in and and will not strain your voice. Once you start working with the tool you will be able to find your point much easier. You do not have to sustain that pitch as voices fluctuate. But if you can have most of your conversation in the F3 range you should be ok.

[Rambler]

Thanks! I'm interested in the 30 day crash course, I like the idea of being able to go back and review. I've been looking for an app to monitor my pitch, I will look into  DA tuner. I spoke with a trainer out of Chicago who charges only $80 per session and offers a free introductory tutorial (as opposed to $300-500 for the intro session) and the woman I spoke with offered to send me some tips & resources to get myself started.

Right I plan to set up an appointment after the new year to establish a relationship and get started with someone who knows what they are doing.

[EmilyMK03]

I found Kathe's lessons were based on a voice in the 240htz range.

Actually, her 30-day course is based on a voice in the A3 range (220 Hz).  But yes, that may be a bit high for someone who is just starting out and has a low male voice to begin with.  My old male voice was naturally at 160-170 Hz (freakishly high really), so it was pretty easy for be to get up there.  For me, developing a female voice was less about pitch and more about resonance.

I spoke with a trainer out of Chicago who charges only $80 per session and offers a free introductory tutorial (as opposed to $300-500 for the intro session) and the woman I spoke with offered to send me some tips & resources to get myself started.

I'm guessing you are talking about The Voice Lab?  That's where I went.    They were recently rated as one of the top 17 best voice teachers in the Chicago area (out of 598 reviewed), so they know what they're doing!  I highly recommend them!

[Rambler]

I'm guessing you are talking about The Voice Lab?  That's where I went.    They were recently rated as one of the top 17 best voice teachers in the Chicago area (out of 598 reviewed), so they know what they're doing!  I highly recommend them!

Thats the one! I just spoke to Liz from there this afternoon, she was very informative and linked me a special deal for gift certificates that she suggested I purchase for myself just to take extra advantage of the discounts. Thanks ka for linking that review! You saved me some time & effort. I'm fairly positive that the voice lab is who I will be going with!