I been trying to practice a female voice but it sounds so manish and strained arrgh 

https://soundcloud.com/user-586556402/epsilons

No mater how many variations i try is so difficult.  If I try high pitches it sounds even worse!  I think the lower range sounds less strained but it doesn't really sound female.

Not sure if reading from a book gives a realistic voice.

Anyway is fun to record even if it isn't very convincing female!

Do any of you think it sounds remotely female? i have great difficulty in knowing because I cant tell as it is my voice.  Should it be higher?

You could have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,190936.msg1701516.html#msg1701516

Here are some more hints:
http://nyspeechandvoicelab.net/transgender/voice-feminization

-realize it takes times, months of consistent training
-keep at it
-things that can be done to help soon are a bit more breathy voice, using more indirect language and changing intonation... going more up and down within words and sentences, especially at the end .

Thanks Laura for the links I will look into to those.

Is weird but I almost find myself putting on an american accent when I try to talk in a higher pitch. 

I'll keep practicing

I have news for you, the voice isn't bad. To me it sounds like a royal english woman speaking. The problem is we all hate the sound of our own voice. If you don't believe me, record your old voice and you will find you don't like that as well. The best solution to this problem would be a few sessions with a speech therapist, not so much to learn a great deal but to have an unbiassed ear judge your voice. Without understand what your original voice was like, I am not sure what pitch is possible for you but you sound around 190 Hz which is lower end feminine. What is important is if the voice feels strained when speaking, you have exceeded the limit of you voice and you will need another approach to hit a feminine voice.

Was kinda difficult for me at first? It sounded like I was having a sore throat all the way. So here's what I did: I grabbed a book ( I love reading ) Yell out what ever you read in the highest pitch possible. ( no seriously I kid you not this worked for me ). I did get a few complaints from the neighbors according to my mom but it was worth it. Now im really happy with my voice.

P.S You sound amazing! You sound just like my aunt! That is just fab you go girl!

Quote from: Joanne Feliz on September 24, 2015, 09:45:04 AM
Thanks Laura for the links I will look into to those.

Is weird but I almost find myself putting on an american accent when I try to talk in a higher pitch. 

I'll keep practicing

Try to practise. You might read from a book.
One strategy is to move the voice a bit higher, until you feel you are in kind of a different register.
Its well possible you are already there.
From there on its just practise, maybe a bit higher voice, and getting a natural sounding voice.

You might record your voice and listen to it from time to time.
You might try a few things and listen to how it sounds... more breathyness... more intonation within words... etc...

Thanks ladies for the good tips and advice. I will try to practise more.

Dena I never thought I sounded like a royal English woman speaking    I have to say it made me happy that the voice doesn't grate other peoples ears as much as my own -  well maybe not LOL

Everlyn,  I will give your suggestion a go...just hope the neighbors wont mind  and thanks for the words of encouragement it means a lot.

I have to say it is a lot of fun practicing your voice.  Though at work I was thinking to myself am I speaking in a girly voice LOL 

Joanne, I listened to your voice record, I find your voice pleasant and quite feminine. I am far from being where you are !

Be careful about going for a high pitch, it may strain and damage your vocal cords.

I found that the only real way to deal with my voice is to use it in real life settings. That was the real practice. That way you're engaged in conversation and it will probably come across as less stilted than when you read from a book (I know I always hate how I sound when I do that!)...

I think it sounds passable. You can practice removing some of the resonance to make it sound better but as-is it sounds good.

Quote from: Joanne Feliz on September 24, 2015, 08:51:43 AM
I been trying to practice a female voice but it sounds so manish and strained arrgh 

https://soundcloud.com/user-586556402/epsilons

No mater how many variations i try is so difficult.  If I try high pitches it sounds even worse!  I think the lower range sounds less strained but it doesn't really sound female.

Not sure if reading from a book gives a realistic voice.

Anyway is fun to record even if it isn't very convincing female!

Do any of you think it sounds remotely female? i have great difficulty in knowing because I cant tell as it is my voice.  Should it be higher?

There is nothing wrong with your voice, it will pass as female. Once you start using it all the time it will get smoother and easier but your voice is fine.

If you are in doubt, the next time the phone rings answer it in your female voice. If your voice is female the person on the other end will go "Ma'am" rather than "Sir".

Joanne Feliz, I like the recording of yours. Your voice sounds clear and beautiful and to my ears clearly passable as female.

I'm wondering how would be your voice these days... would you be so kind to share an updated voice recording? 

Wow girl you can completely pass! I wish I could be anywhere near there.
If you were 16 it would be a little deep but for an adult woman you sound great.

Quote from: josie76 on November 22, 2016, 06:59:14 AM
Wow girl you can completely pass! I wish I could be anywhere near there.
If you were 16 it would be a little deep but for an adult woman you sound great.

+1
I have been working with a voice therapist for several months, I am far from reaching where you are. Your voice passes very well.