For the love of god, work on a female voice.

Like... it doesn't have to be dead perfect, but I can't stress enough how overlooked this facet of the transition is. I've met far too many ->-bleeped-<-s that still speak in a totally male voice and then wonder why they still get strange looks even late into their transition. That one New Orleans mayor (whose name ALWAYS escapes me) has that same problem.

I mean, it seems really nitpicky, but it seems to be overlooked a lot. Some people self-train and sound AWESOME, right off the bat. Other people might require full voice coaching for help. But that pretty much applies to any part of transitioning, really.

I'm not saying everyone has to transition in exactly the same way. I'm just saying that, if you're going for passability, it doesn't much matter if you look like Angelina Jolie if you're just gonna sound like Paul Newman.

Just a random thought I figured I'd throw out there.

I'm not sure a completely female sounding voice is something everyone can attain.

"accept what can't change, work on what can"

I've seen too many users in chat stall in personal development (not just transition) over inability to accept things as they are.

Oh, totally agreed, Nero. And as I mentioned, perfection doesn't have to be the goal. I'm just suggesting the effort be put up.

I mean... the are some people that have visual disadvantages to passing, as well (extremely tall, square jaw, broad skeletal structure. The idea I wanted to convey is basically to make an effort, and not to forget about vocal training when you begin transitioning.

It can be a private thing. Like... practice talking on the car ride to work, or record yourself, play it back, then see what you want changed. Things like that. It just seems like some of the transpeople I know don't even try.

While you cannot change most physical features (outside of surgery that most people can't afford), voice is something that you *do* have control over. And I would have to agree that it is incredibly important. The week I started consciously shifting my voice a little higher was the week my passing rate probably doubled.

Granted, I've been "blessed" if you must use such a term in my transition. But you cannot speed up hormones, you cannot speed up a surgery, you *can* practice your voice.

Being basically broke at the moment, that is one area I can probably afford to get right. There seem to be a few CD( !) packs on the market. Does anyone have any recommendations?

This coming from someone who can sing like Barry White and do a pretty good Lurch impression:  If you don't try and work on it, you'll never know what you can do and you'll always sound like a man.  That will make passing impossible.

I've heard a lot of girls say, "I'll sound stupid!" or something like that.  For those who think you'll sound stupid, get over it!  Imagine what people think when they approach this woman and out of her mouth comes a man's voice.  Is that any less "stupid" than trying?

I haven't spent a penny on voice training and I pass over the phone, the ultimate test.  In public, people approach me usually seeing a woman so they are more prone to "allow" for variations.  But, if you're on the phone and there's no name given and you are identified as female, you know you've succeeded.  I never get "sir"-ed over the phone.

I've said this before, if I can do it. almost anyone can.  At home, I relax the voice a bit because it's very hard on the vocal cords to go all day, but I NEVER allow myself to revert back to that baritone voice that used to leave my lips.

It takes practice and a lot of work but it's worth it.

Talking to your cat helps...tho mine is currently lucking at me in a disdainful manner as I rabbit on. hehe

Quote from: Rock_chick on April 19, 2010, 12:19:42 PM
Talking to your cat helps...tho mine is currently lucking at me in a disdainful manner as I rabbit on. hehe

I'd 'luck' in a bewildered manner if it was me. Talking rabbits belong on the other side of the mirror.

Wear sunscreen.

Seriously. I'm 'earning my spots' hardcore since getting on estrogen.

Some days I = retard.

I agree with the OP even though my voice training hasn't really went well. My normal voice's pitch is in the lower end of the normal female range, so I really don't have to get much higher, it is the resonance that I am having alot of trouble controlling.

I know I can get rid of it in falsetto but, when I try to bring my pitch down to reasonable human standards, the male resonance is back again, mocking me. Perhaps practice is all I need, but any tips would be appreciated.

Also, I think it is important to get a good voice b/c we are all ambassadors for the community stealth or not. I have seen many transwomen on television who sound very masculine, and that doesn't really help with the public's perception at all.

Yeah I couldn't agree more.

I don't get that much time to practice voice and when I do I'm always so particular that it drives me insane because I can never be content with anything voice wise.  I've been on and off working for it for a long long time too. . . like there's times I think I can get somewhere then I just am like "omg this is an epic fail"

Quote from: justmeinoz on April 19, 2010, 07:48:39 AM
Being basically broke at the moment, that is one area I can probably afford to get right. There seem to be a few CD( !) packs on the market. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Try www.exceptionalvoice.com
Kathy Perez is a professional voice coach and her methods do get results, but as with every other aspect of transition it takes time, and alot of practice.

She has released about 3 CDs, if you are starting out you need the first two - "Fundamentals of Your Feminine Voice". If you want to see what's involved for free, have a look at her youtube channel - www.youtube.com/tgvoice - start here http://www.youtube.com/tgvoice#p/u/39/mPHMe9QnYcc

I have found Kathy is very good regarding 'customer service' and has always replied to me promptly with individual advice and encouragement.

Helen R, England, UK

Quote from: Firelight on April 19, 2010, 01:13:17 AMIt just seems like some of the transpeople I know don't even try.

I agree, and it astounds me. I mean, I had a deep voice and I worked on it for months, and now it never gives me away, not on the phone, not in personal interactions with store clerks, not even when talking to teenage girls. Like Julie said I just think if I can do it then probably most other people can too. I have to agree with Firelight that voice is one of the top things to get right for any successful transition and has to be a top priority.

I actually find it sad when I see a really pretty transgirl and she speaks like a camp man or has a deep booming voice white it's just...

I was asked what I considered to be the most important part of transition and it's face and voice for me no question I might not have bothered trying to fully transition if I didn't know you could train your voice to such a satisfactory level. And the best genetic roll you could ever get would be a voice that failed to develop.

Thanks for the advice, i have been trying to figure out what I can be doing to help my transitioning process while I am still in a position that requires me to be living in both worlds.  I was going to ask how to go about this but as I read some of the other replys that question was partially answered.  I am going to be one of the girls who will always have to deal with being tall but voice is definitly something I could help do something about.