Voice TipsHere are some voice tips I have come up with. Some of them I figured out on my own and some of them I learned through voice therapy, and some I learned from TS friends with good female voices. The only way to master a female voice is through lots of practice. I never get "sirred" anymore - not once since going fulltime including over the phone (knock on wood). In fact, just last night, I was ma'amed by somebody calling for <old name>. I have been meaning to compile a list of tips to help somebody speak in a female voice that have really helped me.
Primary TechniquesThese techniques should help give you an overall female voice.
Head Voice: Most people can speak in a head or a chest voice. To try speaking in a head voice, try saying something and try to sound excited. Most people typically speak in a head voice when they are excited. You can tell if you are speaking in a head or chest voice if you place your hand on your chest and speak. You should not feel any vibration.
Pitch: Say Mmm-hmm in your head voice. Press your lips together and say "mmm-hmm," as if you were agreeing with something someone said. After a number of "mmm-hmm's" say the number "one" following the "um-hmm" at the same pitch as the end of the "mmm-hmm." This is your natural voice or fundamental frequency. Try to speak at that pitch.
Making your voice sound "sing-songy": Try speaking in an extremely "pleasant" voice. This will usually help get the sing-songy effect, which is basically the opposite of a monotone voice.
Open the mouth: When you talk, you need to relax the jaw. Don't force it open, but rather, let it drop. This allows more of your voice to come out.
Secondary TechniquesThese techniques should help you refine your voice, but may come as a result of working on the primary techniques.
Tighten the throat slightly: Tighten the throat just a little as if your about to speak in a falsetto voice. This should help slide your larynx up. You don't want to tighten it any more than this.
Relax: Speak in a relaxed voice. Your larynx should still be in the up position, but try to relax the other muscles. Trying too hard, makes it sound pinched and forced. This can also help with opening your mouth easier.
Take your time: As you speak, try not to pinch off words or cut them short. Makes sure to enunciate, but don't sound strained. Some words require some syllables to be pronounced over a longer period of time such as the long 'o' as in the word dog.
Breath correctly: Breathing should be from your diaphram, as it is usually taught in singing lessons. Basically breath in the mouth and let the air fill your belly. Try not to move your chest as you breathe in. This will become easier and more natural with practice.
Facial/Hand Gestures: As you speak, try to use hand and facial gestures. Body language plays an important part in communications and most women speak this way.
Eye Contact: Try and maintain eye contact when speaking with a person. This is an important aspect of communication that should be practiced by both males and females.
Vocabulary: Women tend to use larger words than men as well as complete sentences. This aspect can be explored further in other voice tips online.
PracticeRemember to practice often. You need to get used to your new voice at first and the more often you use it, the easier it gets. Here are some practice tips.
Write down some words and phrases: It is far easier to read some words or phrases that are written down, than it is to come up with phrases in your head. It can become very difficult to focus on the technique you are trying to learn. Try writing down a number of words and/or phrase that complement the technique you are working on at the time. This will make prctice easier.
Add only a little at a time: Learn only 1 technique at a time. After you have learned it and can do it reasonably well, practice it for a week. Eventually you can start combining techniques, but try not to rush the learning process as the quality of the techniques may be diminished.
Record your voice: During practice, try recording your voice, so you can immediately play it back for instant feedback. I would recommend using voicemail or an answering machine as most people already have those. If you are going to use a recorder, I would recommend a digital recorder, as the tape ones seem to make your voice sound bad no matter how well you're doing.
Practice often: Try practicing whenever you can. Talking while driving or whenever you are alone in a female voice can be very convenient. If you are out to your family, you may explain that you are working on your female voice and you will be using it.
Use a male head voice: If you are transitioning, try switching to a male head voice. Most people don't notice the change in your voice if you keep the same pitch and it allows you to practice this aspect all the time. It also has the bonus advantage of increasing your chances of possibly being ma'amed in public, if you like that kind of thing.
These techniques are based on many sources I learned from and I feel most of these are not taught properly in many of the Tape/CD-based courses or online courses and I hope they will be of some benefit.
Melissa
