A major factor that keeps me from going full-time is my voice. I'm working on it (via daily practice, CDs and web resources) but it's going to take some time. Thankfully, my voice isn't too "manly" but still, it is masculine. When I went to my first beauty salon appointment a couple of weeks ago, the first thing she asked is if the hormones will change my voice.

From what I have read it can take 6 months to a year to get it right.

Did you come out before the voice came out? And when you did switch voices, did you just one day decide to start using it instead of the old voice? 

Dora

I can sing in the car sometimes in the voice I like, but talking seems impossible to me. It takes skill.

You'd sometimes think that having 2 voices instead of 1 would make someone more interesting... *sigh... Stupid world.

If the voice is strained, meaning your soon having problems
speaking because it tired your vocal cords I would certainly
not use it.

If it sounds totally unnatural, not just male, don't use it.

If it still sounds male, but less male or androgyne, use it.

Its better not to push your pitch too high and instead
slowly inch it up while working on resonnance also.

That way your voice is less strained and you can use
it everyday without a big switch (since you'll be slowly
moving it).

Thanks everyone. I especially appreciate the guidelines, Keira. I think I fall into the "If it sounds totally unnatural, not just male, don't use it" category now.

I live in a small rural town in the middle of nowhere so I basically have just one shot at making my case to the locals. I'm juggling when to fully come out to them. To think that I can wait until everything is perfect is irrational, I know...

My rash of coming out questions here on Susan's are because I am studying electrology at a school in Wisconsin. When the teacher found out that I am transitioning she said I want you here in your correct gender for the practical (600 hrs hands on training). At first I was terrified as it seemed too soon. But she has seen my picture, heard my voice and knows I am just starting transition so I've decided why not? It's a brand new town, I don't know anyone there, I will be in a safe place as everyone there already knows about me.

Renate: I'm curious as to how people react to your voice (like when talking to your next door neighbor). Is your voice a big problem for you or do you consider it to be just something that will come along with time?

Dora
 

Quote from: Dora on February 26, 2008, 04:28:35 PM

From what I have read it can take 6 months to a year to get it right.

Did you come out before the voice came out? And when you did switch voices, did you just one day decide to start using it instead of the old voice? 

Dora

I was very much out but not fulltime before I polished my voice. It took me about 1-3 months to muster enough confidence, resonance and mannerisms for it to sound right though.

Dora:

I practiced quite a bit when I went 24x7-40 (out everywhere but work).  Then of course when I went full time I was in the deep end of the pool.  I found that,if I met someone in person, most people would accept my voice as it was because in other respects I passed.  But passing on the phone is still difficult.  Though many women will tell you that they get mis-read on the phone a lot also.  So don't get discouraged.

Remember it's not only pitch but resonance that helps make the switch.  You can have a lower voice but if you reduce your vocal resonance then you will still sound feminine.

And remember that women and men have different manners of speech.  If you speak in a feminine manner with feminine resonance, even if your pitch is a bit low you should pass.

You've probably already read this, but it's always a good reminder.  Believe in yourself and others will believe you.

-Sandy

Dora,

There is no substitute for practice.  And there are as lot of times you can take to practice.  I know I still have a long way to go, but think about it.  I practice when:

- I am walking my dogs at night.  You'd be amazed at how talking to animals is much like a feminine exercise.
- I am ordering at a drive through
- While driving in the car.  Get a book on CD with a good female narrator and imitate the dialog in a novel
- One the phone when I get a call that the caller ID says is likely a sales call.  (I know I'm wicked, but it's fun to make up some wild stories for those calls.)
- Find a friend who you can call who will give you honest feedback

Hope this helps.  Best of luck with the voice!

Kristi

Maybe this will help, it certainly helped me. Find a friend whose voice you like in r/l or the internet and listen to them switch from their old voice to their new voice; then try it yourself without much thinking, let your body 'feel' what changed and adjust by itself.

Check out this webpage: http://www.amberspace.net/oldsite/voice.html

If your voice is on the light, tenorish side then it shouldn't be hard to achieve a comfortable, passable voice; if your voice comes from the darker colored end of the spectrum it will be a bit harder to nail it but it's certainly doable, it just takes time. Don't stop working on it.

on the lighter side   I learned that before I died my hair that I just played the dumb blond and shut up
I hated putting my feet in my mouth  I have a deep voice and I learned to talk very softly  except when someone pisses me off   kinda like the guys that were on White Chicks when the snaped back at two guys in the begining  I came out a lot earler than when I lerned to talk more quiet and softly
Kristin

My voice isn't great, especially on the phone, but it sounds natural so people aren't put off by it.  I've found when I'm nervous I tend to mumble and my voice goes lower.  But when I'm excited or engaged in what's going on, my voice has more inflections and is less monotone, and sounds better and is more fun to use.

I dunno I'm still working on it.

Its funny actually. When I'm just normally talking, its pretty monotone. Its not like 100 percent masculine either, and this is usually cause I talk softly. If I'm singing it sounds RIDICULOUSLY DIFFERENT. I realize that there is no way to pin point my genetically XX voice, so creating it seems just... Weird I dk.


I wonder if your voice actually goes higher if you stop talking for a long enough time to atrophy the muscles... Or something like that. Anyone know?

Actually, muscle atrophy would reduce your range and drop your voice, so its not a good option. But, its quite easy to keep this muscle in shape :-), its not like heavy lifting. That's why those who sing can have a greater range.

So I guess it tightens the strings more by using them... Okay.

Quote from: deviousxen on February 27, 2008, 11:15:05 PM
So I guess it tightens the strings more by using them... Okay.

It's kind of like a rubberband: if you never stretch it, it will remain the same; if you stretch it too much at one time, it will snap; but if you stretch it everyday, a bit more every time, it will slowly lenghthen.

Speaking monotone is more an issue of manner than range, by the way.

Quote from: soldierjane on February 28, 2008, 09:39:26 AM

Quote from: deviousxen on February 27, 2008, 11:15:05 PM
So I guess it tightens the strings more by using them... Okay.

It's kind of like a rubberband: if you never stretch it, it will remain the same; if you stretch it too much at one time, it will snap; but if you stretch it everyday, a bit more every time, it will slowly lenghthen.

Speaking monotone is more an issue of manner than range, by the way.

That is very true Jane. I've been a vocalist since I was 16 and I'm sure that's helped with my voice a lot over the years. I can get a lot of the high vocal range notes when we are recording that the guy's can't reach.....

The vocal cords themselves don't change through pracice.
Its the "hand holding the rubber band that gets stronger".
There are quite a few muscles, including the tongue, used
in speach, and if your practice them, them not only stronger, you
can control them better (like better dexterity for your hands).

Yeah... I like the comparison but the lengthened chords are deeper, so...

I don't know if this can be replicated, but here's my story:

I was terrified to come out because I thought my voice wasn't good enough.  Good enough as in... I never practiced or anything.  I remember one night 18 months ago I was quite distraught because I knew that most people take months practicing their voice.

I'm a very very spiritual person.  I don't go walking around chanting about earth spirits or anything, but I do have a belief system that works for me.  The system is simple: Believe in yourself, and ask for what you want. 

So I did~  I asked for my female voice to happen and be mine.  And over the next few months I was starting to get ma'amed on the phone... Like every single time.  People were hanging up on me because they thought I was joking with them when I told them that I was the owner (and the owner's name was well... my old name).

Anyways, now I can't go back to my old, icky voice.  I don't know how.  I forgot what it sounds like too.  I'm not really complaining.   And people always tell me I have a perfect (of if they like me- sexy) voice.  I haven't practiced or anything at all.  I guess I'm just a mystery girl.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is... Believe in yourself!  Ask for what you want!  And never, ever doubt that you will have it, even in the worst moments.

~Kira

That's really interesting, Kira. My brother-in-law and sister were over to visit yesterday and they mentioned that my voice is changing. It isn't "feminine" but is starting to go up in pitch. I was surprised because I am not trying to change it when I speak, I'm just talking like I always do. I am a Buddhist so I have incorporated the voice training into my hour a day chanting. I chant at the proper pitch (3A) plus my desire for a feminine voice is included in my thoughts as I chant so who knows? You may be on to something here! Thanks for posting.

Dora

Good luck Dora!  I'm glad I'm not a completely crazy girl hehe.