I've been thinking about the things that I do in my spare time, and nothing will change or be affected by transitioning except for ONE thing: my singing. In my opinion (and opinions of others), I have a beautiful, ethereal soprano voice, and I do love to use it. I know, however, that T will cause my vocals to deepen. I would still be able to sing, I'm sure, just at different, lower octaves. I will miss the soprano, though, even while I'm willing to let it go.

That was all I could think of when it came to personal things... Everything else will only be enhanced, I think.

Are there things that you will/do miss after transitioning?

As odd as it sounds, I think there will be times that I miss being "one of the girls".  Not often.  But there are occasions when there is a certain relaxed, homey familiarity in small groups of women that doesn't seem to happen when there are guys around.  Then again, as a gay man, I may not be entirely shut out of those moments.

I totally hear you (no pun intended) about the singing part, as well.  I hope that when I go on T and my voice settles into its final place that I still have a nice singing voice, if a different one.  That's something I worry about some.  I know Jamison Green mentioned at some point that he lost his singing voice and wound up switching to drumming to satisfy his musical side.

I play piano, as well, and I write songs to it. I suppose that, after my voice settles, I will just have to simply go through the whole training-my-voice phase. I still remember all the techniques from choir way back in the beginning of high school, so I hope that I will learn to love my new voice.

Actually, it was the prospect of losing my singing voice that made me decide not to take T. I love my voice regardless of the fact that it makes it impossible to pass as male.

I'm gonna miss being low-maintenance.  I don't mean in personal appearance (although shaving sounds like it'll get annoying after awhile--I'm used to rolling out of bed and being ready to go; maybe I'll just grow a beard).  I mean having to worry more about my health (family heart problems that T probably won't be too good for) and actually having go to a doctor regularly, even after my T dosage is worked out.  BTW, does anyone know how often one has to get a check-up once they are done transitioning?

I can relate. I've been on T almost 4 months now, and I CAN'T sing. My speaking voice has settled into a nice deep baritone, but it still cracks from time to time, and it makes singing impossible. I used to sing all the time, and my voice was perfectly on pitch and everything... now, nothing. I sound like a dying bird. I have heard, however, that once the voice stabilizes, it's a lot easier. I certainly hope so.

S.D.

Well I never could or should sing but I used to be able to copy animal sounds and since T I have lost most of my abilities to mimic. I could actually mimic any sound a cat made but now I just can't. Oh well still prefer living like this.

After beginning hormones you get blood tests every 3 months for a year, every 6 months for a year and then year after that. In theory after five clear years you can cut down to every 2-3 years. I on the other hand am starting on the implants and will get blood tests 3, 4, 5 and 6 months for the first cycle barring anything unusual. When the symptoms of low T hit, I will do a blood test and implant the next dose. After that I will do blood tests every 6 months for 2 years and then yearly thereafter.

->-bleeped-<-boy

The voice does settle down to where you can retrain yourself to sing. I had a four octave range before, and am getting closer to that again.

And checkups-wise, an annual checkup is a good idea for everyone, regardless of whether they're trans or not.

Dennis

Dennis - 
Are you a performer?  I recall in one of your older posts, you had mentioned something about being on stage. 
- Benjamin

Yeah I sing in a jazz group (amateur). I have a video of one of our performances, but haven't quite figured out how to Youtube it.

Dennis

Quote from: Dennis on April 02, 2008, 08:15:51 AM
Yeah I sing in a jazz group (amateur). I have a video of one of our performances, but haven't quite figured out how to Youtube it.
Dennis

That's cool, Dennis.  Would be great to see a video of your group some time -- if you can figure out how to YouTube.  (I haven't figured it out, either.)   

I used to be a semi-pro musician.  Played whatever style music came my way.  I played jazz on and off for a few years. 

- Benjamin

This requires a lot of thinking...

What I am willing to let go and miss....well, the only thing (and I do mean that in all honesty) that I can see me missing are the friends I had in my past that I never told and don't want to tell because I know them well enough I believe to know they would not accept me.  I guess I can include family in there to as I come from a small town and I don't want to have my transition be like the next gossip magazine, so easier to just disappear as I have started doing now both my parents are passed on.  Not sure if my step-dad would accept me or not, but will let that happen when it happens.

Thats really it.  Nothing physically to say I would miss, in fact I look forward to all the physical changes including the voice.  I would love to hear what I sound like a year or so after and if I try to sing.  could be a good laugh on the later.

Perhaps you'll have a Tenor (is that what it's called in English?) that will be just as good!

Me? I won't miss a Thing. Am good at imagining something is still here/ there if I need to.