What does it feel like to speak in a different voice?

[Terry]

I believe this is really the major topic I've been dodging for a long time. The one that made me not realise I'm female. It just seems so much hard work to achieve a female voice and I can't help thinking it must feel weird. It can't be easy to get out of a habit I've been in over several decades now, or can it? So my big question is not a technical one. It's simply this: does it (ever) feel natural?

[VickySGV]

My "male" voice was down in my upper chest, and I could feel the vibration (resonance) down there.  I only used that voice when I was trying to impress others with my "masculinity" along the lines of John Wayne type social roles.  The voice I use now comes from the back of my throat.  Detractors of males with high voices call that a falsetto, but for me it is a comfortable voice range often referred to as Sultry Female.  I am not trying to play the part of a male any more and it takes careful thought to reclaim the Low Baritone voice whereas today the Alto/Tenor voice is just ME.  My voice now is made up of female speech patterns (melodic) and word choices, both of which with time have become ME in daily life.  I smile when I speak and the smile comes through in my words which male voices do not do as well.  In time your voice will become just YOU.

[Ellora]

@VickySGV, now you have me wondering about voice therapy. I have a deep voice, especially in the morning or when I have a chest cold/cough. I guess I should try recording myself try to speak with a lady voice. I feel shy just thinking about recording myself, silly me. I have t tried researching it, I guess I could also ask my Doctor if she knows someone and if it’s covered under my insurance. I cant sing, or at least I don’t know notes, pitches, octaves, or anything like that. 

I have been catching myself speaking a bit softer and not so much in the lower body, but higher in the throat a bit. Yesterday, in a quick “how are you doing’” exchange, I noticed a more effeminate voice coming out of me, and now I’m trying to replay that moment in my head. 

I guess I’m shy about it cause I don’t want to try it without testing it on other people I know, so I don’t sound weird, idk, I digress. ? . 

[VickySGV]

1 hour ago, Ellora said:

I guess I’m shy about it cause I don’t want to try it without testing it on other people I know, so I don’t sound weird, idk, I digress

 

"Get thee to a support group meeting"  that is the most wonderful place to get that help.  I do know a couple of voice therapists IRL and that is one of their recommendations.  Sort of like how to learn a second language by immersion.

 

This is a link to Kathe Perez who is a U.S. Speech Therapist whom I have met IRL and who is a real friend of the Trans community.  https://www.katheperez.com/   There are others but she is so darn nice and friendly.

[Ellora]

3 hours ago, VickySGV said:

Sort of like how to learn a second language by immersion.

Makes a lot of sense. I know I talk different when I’m with people from the neighborhood. Thank you the link and suggestions! 

[Krisvm]

I am still working with my voice therapist but one thing I can say I have found is that for the first time I can listen back to my voice and not totally hate it. I used to hear myself and think it didn't sound right, now it still sounds slightly unnatural and cracks a bit as I work on it but it just feels more me

[Jani]

Remember that what we sound like is different than how others perceive us since we hear our voices "internally' though our head and not just our ears ( I hope I said that correctly).  I am not thrilled by my voice but I have come to peace with it as mine.  Once you figure how to move your voice up into your head it gets easier.  It took me quite some time.  Hang in there! 

 

Jani

[Ellora]

1 hour ago, Jani said:

what we sound like is different than how others perceive us since we hear our voices "internally' though our head and not just our ears

I need to remind myself this, and it made me remember back (and even now at times) when I first heard myself (and still) on an answering machine. It was horrid, “I sound like that !?!”  I need a voice therapist.?