Developing a feminine voice while keeping a male voice

[BeckyCNJ]

As I noted on my introductory post, for a variety of reasons I don't plan to transition, however I am looking for ways to let that feminine side of me finally see some daylight. One of the main areas I'm working on is my voice. Professionally, I do voiceover work. For that reason I don't want to lose my masculine-sounding voice.

However, if I could develop a female voice it would be wonderful. Most voice recordings are done by oneself in the privacy of a studio, so even though I present as male a listener would have no idea what the speaker looks like. One of the most frequent things those of us who have done radio have heard is that you don't look anything like you sound, boy would I love to really make that true! 

As I read the threads in this section, most people, understandably, want to change their voice permanently to the gender they wish to present. For me, I'd like to be able to switch between the two. I don't necessarily want to do female voiceover work, but I sure would love to sound female on the phone and perhaps on recordings.

Has anyone tried to do both? If so, any tips?

I'm just starting working on this (cautiously) so I don't damage my voice.

Thanks!

[Dena]

Depending on your starting voice, it can be done. The catch is it will be a little more difficult to remain in a voice because you will still have the memory of how to use the other voice. After using the feminine voice for many years without the masculine voice, I have "forgot" how to drop into the masculine voice. I can do it because in my head I know what needs to be done but my muscles fight me when I attempt it. This is similar to what happened when I first started using a feminine voice.

If you don't want to damage your voice, you don't want to speak to high, to low or to loud. All of these cause the vocal cords to be damaged. If you feel discomfort when using your voice, you are doing something wrong that might cause damage and you should stop until you learn what's wrong.

The catch on all this is if you have an extremely low starting voice, you may not be able to raise it to the feminine range and that's when surgery would become a consideration. If you have a mid range or high male voice, reaching the feminine range shouldn't be difficult.

As always, I am willing to help anybody with their voice. Just let me know what you need.

[Thessa]

I try to go that route for at least the time being (because of my business) but it's really hard for me.

I still struggle with feeling stupid when speaking to myself and the feminine voice just sounds wrong. Then everyone is telling me that I have such a great soft masculine voice, this doesn't make things easier.

So I think it's definitely harder when you have or want to use both voices.