Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Voice Therapy and Surgery => Topic started by: Ellement_of_Freedom on July 12, 2016, 04:26:22 AM

Title: Do I even need VFS?
Post by: Ellement_of_Freedom on July 12, 2016, 04:26:22 AM
So, this whole time I was completely unaware of my own voice. I just assumed it was too deep, but now that I've been practising today I feel like I will be okay without VFS. This was after about 30 minutes of practising:

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0EpFuhSmzdA (http://vocaroo.com/i/s0EpFuhSmzdA)

Please tell me what you think I need to work on etc and your opinion about VFS for me.

Thanks. <3
Title: Re: Do I even need VFS?
Post by: Confetti on July 12, 2016, 05:14:43 AM
I Don't think so, your voice sounds great to me!
Title: Re: Do I even need VFS?
Post by: V on July 12, 2016, 06:16:50 AM
Your voice sounds OK to me.
Maybe try to add in some more intonation, and be a bit less monotone.
Smiling while I speak seems to work for me too.

I find voice feminisation the hardest thing of all about being trans.
My boyfriend cringes when I try to feminise my voice, and in the end he begs me to stop and just speak normally. But I know my voice doesn't pass if I don't try. It's not too bad in a group of guys, but in a group of women it stands out as the deepest voice by far :(

I suggest keep practising and when you have it, keep it there. It's hard to work on it later, as I can personally testify.
Title: Re: Do I even need VFS?
Post by: SadieBlake on July 12, 2016, 06:34:46 AM
Lovely passage. I feel I can hear you trying and the result feels absolutely passable.

I need to work on this myself.
Title: Re: Do I even need VFS?
Post by: Ellement_of_Freedom on July 12, 2016, 07:41:00 AM
Thanks girls. Yeah, it's hard work and I know I have a long way to go.. I guess I'll decide for sure on VFS once I've worked on it for 6-12 months.
Title: Re: Do I even need VFS?
Post by: GeekGirl on July 12, 2016, 09:15:22 AM
I think it sounds great. With more practice, you'll sound even better!

Unfortunately, for me, I've been trying for years to get my voice to sound better, but I keep failing each time. That's why I'm going for VFS. If my voice even improves a little, it'll be worth it.
Title: Re: Do I even need VFS?
Post by: Ritana on July 12, 2016, 02:04:17 PM
Your voice sounds feminine but more gender neutral to me, but that's just me as I tend to have a very trained ear when it comes to establishing the gender of the voice. Having gone through the process of voice feminisation myself,  both before and after vfs, I have a tendency to spot the slightest masculine tones/ aspects (including mine, which I hate!).

I would suggest you try and increase your pitch a tiny bit more, get rid of the slight breathiness you have, and to try and add a bit of movement to your speech pattern making it sound more female-like. Otherwise, your voice sounds good for someone who hasn't had much training.

Best of luck!
Title: Re: Do I even need VFS?
Post by: Dena on July 12, 2016, 04:34:24 PM
I am unsure if you are doing a proper trained (head voice) because it sounds a bit like you might not. The voice is gender ambiguous and the minimal amount of inflection means nothing says female or male. If you have only been working with it for 30 minutes, it's a very good start and has possibilities. I suggest you get a copy of Praat and look at where you are using your voice. This chart will help you understand what you are seeing in Praat and if you need help, let me know.

http://www.nyspeechandvoicelab.net/transgender/voice-feminization/
Title: Re: Do I even need VFS?
Post by: Ritana on July 12, 2016, 04:48:08 PM
Quote from: Dena on July 12, 2016, 04:34:24 PM
I am unsure if you are doing a proper trained (head voice) because it sounds a bit like you might not. The voice is gender ambiguous and the minimal amount of inflection means nothing says female or male. If you have only been working with it for 30 minutes, it's a very good start and has possibilities. I suggest you get a copy of Praat and look at where you are using your voice. This chart will help you understand what you are seeing in Praat and if you need help, let me know.

http://www.nyspeechandvoicelab.net/transgender/voice-feminization/


Dena,

I thought praat was just for measuring the pitch. I would appreciate if you could show me how to use it in analysing the voice and helping feminisation.

thanks

Ritana
Title: Re: Do I even need VFS?
Post by: Dena on July 12, 2016, 05:19:27 PM
Praat is pitch and inflection. It also can be used for harmonics but for the most part those can only be controlled by moving into the head voice. One thing that helps greatly is a trained ear other than your own. As for working with you, I would be glad to do it and feel free to PM me with questions/requests. I am comfortable with Skype and that allows me to provide rapid feedback when needed.