Psychological barrier in voice therapy?

[Guest Sophie90]

Hello!

I've been trying to change my voice for quite a while, but now I'm facing a major problem:

It may sound weird, but I'm not able to speak or practise for example in falsetto or other "ridicolous sounds". It is not a physical problem, I seem to have quite a broad vocal range.

I simply can not do it! I'm always practicing alone, but I'm feeling too ashame to do it.

Have you also encountered this barrier? Can you give me any advice what to do?

Thank you very much in advance!

[Guest Wendy F]

Do you mean you can't use your female voice around people? I think a lot of us have this problem, including me. The more you do something, the more comfortable you will be doing it.

[Guest Sophie90]

Actually, that was not what I was trying to say, sorry if my english is too bad!

Unfortunately, I'm still lightyears away from a female voice. I'm still trying to develop the voice.

It is so difficult for me to explain what I mean!

[Guest Jo-88]

Sophie I know EXACTLY what you mean... this is a problem I have too. I have to be in complete isolation to do the voice exercises, I am simply too self conscious to do it where there is even a slight chance that someone will hear me. In fact even if I do get a chance to be isolated, sometimes I still can't do it because I feel like I sound ridiculous. Sigh I wish I had advice for you but I am in the same boat... hopefully someone will have something more helpful to add

[Guest Sarah Faith]

Are you meaning that it feels too wierd, or its too embarrassing to practice even when alone? If so I know how that is, when I first started practicing my voice I just couldn't do it for more than maybe 20 seconds. I just felt sooo paranoid that someone might some how overhear me and out me, or I felt that I was doing it so wrong and felt embarrassed for my self.

The best thing I can really suggest is find a place where you feel more safe and secure in doing it. For me it was oddly the car when I was driving to get groceries, or see a friend, or sometimes I'd just go sit in my car and practice! After that I expanded where I could do it to the shower, then I eventually got the courage to actually use the voice online with my guild in World of Warcraft, now even some of my family has heard it. You just have to keep trying and get more comfortable with doing it and slowly expand on that.

[Guest BrenGirl]

I've found the voice to be very difficult. I have problems even when I'm by myself practicing. It's definitely a hurdle for me to get over.

[Guest]

I read out loud to myself alot. It seems to help me be less critical of myself. Then I can apply it later with a little more comfort.

I am working on my phone voice too. When bill collectors call, I give them my best en fem, "That deadbeat rat!? He doesn't live here anymore, please stop calling. Thank you." <click> Giggle. This provides a shred of truth, until I can get my backlog paid. I'm bad, but what's a girl to do? Hug. JodyAnn

[Guest Tamar]

Oh Jody. You're so bad, you're awesome!

[Guest]

They probably track me here too, so I'm busted. Oh well, practice makes perfect. Thttt... When your out, your out, I'm out! Genie ain't going home! Giggle.

Thanks Tamar, I really needed an awesome. You are too! Hug. JodyAnn on the loose!

[Guest kelise]

One thing I did to get over that hurdle was sing in the car with the stereo turned WAYY up. That way, I knew nobody could hear me, nor could I hear myself. I'd sing until the vibrations in my throat "felt" like I was hitting it right. Then, I'd turn it down and say something. More often then not, I'd be right in the correct range.

[Guest Sophie90]

So good to know that I'm not alone with this problem!

Living alone in a small apartment, this should not be an issue. But sometimes I'm also a bit paranoid, I fear my neighbours might hear me (they would certainly not, the building where I'm living has quite a good insulation).

And I just noticed, that when I'm drying my hair, and the hair dryer is creating a sound level, it is suddenly no problem anymore.

really strange...

[Guest sonmi-451]

Sorrry for the belated response but this is a problem familliar to me. I also have a rather impressive voice range but still struggle with cnsistency. For me the problem is with placement and that is partially psychological. When I am nervous, anxious, or unsure, I am more likely to withdraw, which pulls the sound into the back of my throat.

When speaking this comes out as a creeking sound you probably know as vocal fry. If I'm speaking in a correct voice range, this fry causes me to sound a bit like a cross between Daria and Marge's sisters. This fundamental frequency being produced is ok -- still averaging A3 / 220hz. However the placement in the throat causes lower formants (resonance). If you're trying to practice quietly, it seems that you might also be doing this.

When working with a speech therapist, my goal was to move the placement from the back of the throat to the front of my mouth. This causes the sound vibrations to pass through the lips and lower nasal mask. When doing this, I can feel a buzzing sensation on my lips. This placement is more common with "the queen's english" accent that is commonly used by British actors. The placement in the front causes better projection. Projection is key to an actor's performance. Also key is annunciation. Having the sound at the lips also causes annunciation to be better. More articulate annunciation can be perceived as a gender cue. By moving the placement away from the back of the throat, it also decreases the sound resonance in the lower larynx.

This may be a bit much to read but hopefully there is something useful in there.

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#451