My voice has a "switch"?

[lostandconfused]

I just discovered something with my voice. In my normal male speaking voice, I'd be using a lower part of throat. I can sorta feel it. Then I tried practicing a female voice. I kept switching between the two (using the male voice to moan or curse at how bad my recordings sounded) and then later my voice locked in the higher pitch. So, for some reason, I think I found some sorta switch for my voice or something.

I can't explain it except it's sorta like a gulping thing. If I gulp down, it switches to the lower pitch. If I gulp up, it feels like something's physically staying there, up higher. (I don't know the science behind this, but I only say what it feels like) If I speak as usual, I come out with a more feminine voice (or better put, less masculine), and I can switch down and my voice would stay in my male voice. I can't go inbetween though, then it starts hurting. When I'm in "up mode" it's near impossible to switch mid-sentence, and can't go back to my normal voice without "gulping down". Is this normal? If it is, what's the next step? 

[VeryGnawty]

Most people have at least two different "modes" of vocalization.  The first is the normal talking the voice that you use when speaking naturally.  The second mode is the mode you use when screaming at someone (singers often use this as well when singing).  It is projected from a different part of the throat, so it sounds differently.  Both the resonance and the pitch are different because the bulk of the vocals are compressed to create the sound.  It is this same compression that gives singers more control of their voice when singing.

I don't know about "gulping" up, though.  That sounds kind of like choking.  Are you sure you're OK?

[lostandconfused]

Most people have at least two different "modes" of vocalization.  The first is the normal talking the voice that you use when speaking naturally.  The second mode is the mode you use when screaming at someone (singers often use this as well when singing).  It is projected from a different part of the throat, so it sounds differently.  Both the resonance and the pitch are different because the bulk of the vocals are compressed to create the sound.  It is this same compression that gives singers more control of their voice when singing.

I don't know about "gulping" up, though.  That sounds kind of like choking.  Are you sure you're OK?

No, it's not choking, it's controlled by me. I notice when I do it, it does feel a little tighter at the top, and the vibration in my chest dramatically drops and my voice automatically sounds breathier.