This Sunday, I am hosting a comprehensive voice workshop and lecture series covering everything voice learning, voice modification, and our comprehensive 2023 voice learning model from the very beginning on our community Discord accessible through Patreon: www.patreon.com/transvoicelessons. This marks the start of an exciting new chapter in this channel and my works history! We are now focusing our sights on laying down a more permanent body of updated and modern resources to help everyone. It really frustrates me not having a more "up to date" and simultaneously self cohesive set of materials for us to reference as a community. While I'm proud of what is here on this channel, it is a scattered collection of evolving thoughts over many years and not a "complete" model nor does it reflect my values or beliefs about voice anymore. Over these years, my pedagogy, approach, and voice model has been in constant refinement and more recently crystallized into something I'm tremendously proud of - a complete model which continues to yield increasingly improved vocal outcomes in my student population. This will be the most "complete" and consistent single resource I've made for the Patreon or RU-vid channel. Recently, in collaboration with my team, we've managed to produce consistent RU-vid videos with improved quality than what came before but these new videos have been shorter, more casual content less focused on the "nitty gritty" of voice. Our focus internally is now aimed towards producing an extended series of "Big Official Model" videos for RU-vid to ultimately share and articulate the comprehensive model as it stands in 2023. Stay tuned for these to publish on the channel. The Model Series is taking a lot of planning as it is a whole book worth of content and accurately reproducing it in a way which will be most effective for casual viewers is a unique challenge. This workshop is going to be a full overview of the model to help guide the creation of the "official" video series. Thus, this event will be the perfect event if you've been feeling plateaued or just want to "get back into voice" if you haven't thought about it in awhile. The event will primarily consist of demonstration, lecture, and ear training to keep the material streamlined followed by a workshop portion where we explore the material actively in our voices. This class will cover a deep chunk of core material and establish the frame for all discussions and resources moving forward. However, we will continue to meet monthly* in similar meetings until all the necessary sound, material from the model, and process is captured to be made accessible for the community.
Here is a 4 hour long interview with world class vocal surgeon and pioneer, Dr. James Thomas if you want more info on specific vocal surgery procedures: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-imdM3Cea4NA.html We cover every detail extensively.
I had vocal surgery with Yeson last year when I was 49 years old. It has definitely helped me achieve a more feminine sound that I couldn’t achieve after 20+ years of developing my female voice. I do absolutely agree that you need to develop your voice with training afterwards. Surgery alone doesn’t change your voice, but it did help me.
So it’s like the surgeon is modifying the structure for you so that you can then spend the time and effort after the surgery learning how to utilise your newly acquired pitch ceiling whilst maintaining that very important bright resonance all at a very good volume?
VFS isn't a cure-all. I've had a Glottoplasty and it does not magically give you a passing fem-voice. It does a great job changing your pitch and weight, but it still requires resonance training/practice. It requires you to talk differently so that you dont strain your vocal chords. It also requires a difficult month long recovery period without talking, coughing, sneezing, clearing your throat, etc. It met my needs and I 100% dont regret it, but anyone considering VFS should have realistic expectations and have at least several months of voice training before moving forward with something like this.
Thanks for sharing your experience! We’ve discussed intricacies of VFS at depth on our channel in a 3 hour long livestream with leading vocal surgeon, Dr. James Thomas in which we discuss every type of VFS which exists, the pros/cons, limitations, ideal candidates, and potential innovations. This video is to answer basic questions which the channel commonly gets in regards to vocal surgery. Results are indeed mixed and are highly influenced by a persons pre-surgery vocal behaviors or overall vocal rapport. VFS is absolutely no replacement for behavioral modification of voice as behavioral modification will always provide “higher resolution” results if done well - just requires more time, focus, and proficiency. VFS does have the advantage of inciting a “permanent” change essentially overnight which is very compelling to many - especially those who have struggled with vocal training over a long period and want a change to their “floor”. I’ve worked with numerous students post-VFS who still feel they require greater effect to achieve their goals. The most satisfactory surgical outcomes I’ve heard ultimately still have some component of behavioral voice training and the majority (if not all) surgeons I’ve talked with explicitly encourage or require some degree of vocal therapy pre-op or post-op. I’d recommend anyone genuinely considering VFS watch the multi hour long interview with Dr. James Thomas on this channel. He is a pioneer and there is a breadth of detailed info in that video where as this is a more a response to common inquiries we get! Thanks for sharing your story!
I feel lke Z's voice has shifted somewhat and evolved into a more low in pitch (almost less """hyper feminine""") voice that is just as good, but more natural. It seems like a lot of the thoughts behind some of the aspects before were focused on that "pure", "bright", very "light" aspect, and now it seems that she was able to keep the feminine quality that that brings, but being able to explore sounds outside that realm. I almost get hints of sultry, and I get the feeling that this voice space has a lot more space for expression on top of already feeling more natural. To me, it seems like a lot of things would be easier to emote and maintain through emoting in this space, compared to always having to maintain this "pure", "bright", and "light" quality, which I feel can hinder emotional expression sometimes. I would really LOVE an update on the voice timeline video, because now that I'm getting proficient with the "pure" more ""hyper feminine"" voice I find myself wanting to evolve my voice in a similar way Z has. Its really so impressive how her voice keeps getting better, and even comparing the timeline video to now you can see that she is still working on small stubble differences and nuances, and its just very inspiring to see someone who is so dedicated to perfecting and always improving their already incredible voice. It truly makes me feel that even though I'm not exactly where I want to be with my voice, I can always be twinking it and training it. It shows how its not a goal you reach and your done, its something that can grow with you if you let it. Thank you so much Z, you are seriously such a big inspiration for me, and I think your work is so meaningful, so thank you so so much for everything.
Thanks. I really appreciate it. :) The way my voice sounds really depends on my mood and vibe. I no longer actively think about speech when it's happening and haven't for a few years. Thus, whatever comes out is however I genuinely am expressing. My capacity has expanded in all directions as I have the freedom to be even more hyperfeminine than I could in the past AND lower with quality, etc. Especially in the last 6 months. I feel my understanding, impact on students, and control of my own voice has gone somewhat exponential in the past 6 months (and continuing although more linearly now). Overall, I would say the further I get into my transition the more I am comfortable in my identity as a whole person and human. My dysphoria is essentially managed now and thus, it allows me to explore a wider range of **being**. I believe this reflects in my voice and attitudes towards life.
@@TransVoiceLessons omg, Thank you so much for taking the time and writing such a in depth reply. I truly appreciate the care and attention, and its very valuable to me to hear more about your perspective on everything, it always has. I'll definetly keep a lot of what you said in mind now as I continue to grow more, and become more confident in my own sense. Also, I think what you mentioned about the last 6 months really shows. Anyway, thanks again, and I hope you have a great week ♥
I improved my singing range by almost a whole octave in my chest voice. This also helped me with my pitch for my speaking voice. It is possible. And I believe in you guys!
Almost everyone starting from an untrained position will have tremendous range expansion. Our vocal range, while having some limits, is predominantly controlled by how we access various parts of our range.
You rule Z, this channel is such an asset. Voice feminization can be such a awkward process, but the way you explain it makes it so much less complicated. You make it fun.
3:44 Finally, testosterone gives without taking away! 😂 I’m happy to have the added low range if I can still access the higher/lighter parts of my voice
Yea!! To be fair though, it does change the general profile of how we access various higher pitches. So while the ranges may overlap, without exposure to testosterone the voice can typically navigate the D4 - F4 area much easier (and other physical inflection points where coordination has to be adjusted typically referred to in various singing traditions bluntly as "passagios"). I ended up losing a lot of the low end after years of normalization around different vocal coordination. I've been regaining some of my low end back with dedicated practice though! :)
My lifelong goal is to develop reasonable control over a broad pitch range! (D3-F4 maybe?) I’ll be curious to see how much of my low range coordination I can maintain as I begin to normalize my upper pitches 🤞
I get what you mean. Most of the time I can't even get myself to sit down and practice. I found out I had adhd and that's effected my practice but it's so hard to train my voice. I just end up quitting every time I try. The awkwardness, the pain and strain, running out of air. It's just too much. And surgery is just a dream that I can't even come close too. I feel hopeless too.
I’m not trans, but I support your journey. Like anything, it’s easy to give up and feel hopeless. But just like with anything, practice DOES make a difference, despite if it takes awhile. She didn’t get her desired voice after years. There’s nothing wrong with you or bad. I believe in you!! I will never know what it feels like to have to go through this, but I have all the power in me to say you’ve got this!
excited to watch! i'd be super curious to hear more about voice feminisation and singing range too... e.g. is it possible to extend one's fem singing range in full voice, not just falsetto?
I did karaoke last night all in my falsetto, which I've been getting a lot stronger and more confident than normal by singing scales in the car 😂 definitely curious if there are more ways to improve
Oh my god, I really want to know this as well, it's been a concern for years (what even *is* falsetto in the first place? will i ever get my pre-puberty soprano range back???)
I've just found this channel, i am a cis guy so i never had to worry about anything like this. But i am so so happy that content like yours is available here, i hope you have success with your channel, thanks for what you do for the community!
One of the first things I did was have vocal training, and there really is so much more to it than pitch and tone and all that. How you say things, different emphasis on words and syllables, physical gestures like hand movements... so much more that how the voice sounds. I still considered surgery, but it's been nearly 2 years and my voice is so different thanks to the training and videos and just paying attention to other women. It's not where I want it yet, but it's getting there (got called ma'am on the phone recently without them knowing my name, that was very affirming).
I love how your voice sounds so natural now! I've been following you for a few years now and I'm glad to se that you're healthy and that voice has improved even more! ❤
I heard many post-op voices that sound hoarse or gravelly, and I’ve also heard some that sound clear and almost ideal in terms of the outcome. But I think being older makes the surgery more risky too, so I might need to just train more and avoid surgery. How about a 3D printer that simply uses stem cells to print out a new set of vocal chords, designed to be pre-pubescent? Maybe that’s happening in the next ten years?
@@OverbiteGames It is a question of research as well, vocal folds are very complex tissues composed of many layers, including a muscle layer that is rather essential in voice production as well as giving a huge range to play with. Some groups (e.g., GIPSA lab in Grenoble) are actively trying to replicate the internal structure of the vocal folds but it's not a simple task
This video really helped a lot. Trying to learn voice training through youtube has been really overwhelming and I was really starting to feel like I'd need to get surgery to be able to get the results I need. But I think now I'm going to stick with it more and try and build a routine that works for me
i can see why you're the teacher on this, your voice sounds literally perfect! you sound literally exactly like a girl, it's honestly kind of inspiring, hearing this makes me feel a bit more hopeful about a passable female voice being achievable in my future!
I just wanted to be another voice saying that VFS was one of the best things I've done to get me gendered correctly! I spent 2 years with a couple well known SLP's, and both ended up saying that pitch was the biggest limiting factor because of how low my natural voice was. I had VFS done with Dr. Courey and havent looked back because the results have spoken for themselves! The biggest thing has been that the shortened vocal tract and a similar posterior glottal gap produces a voice I was never able to achieve. Now, I will say that VFS js not the magical surgery where you instantly have a feminine voice. Honestly, I've put more work into my voice post-op than I thought because you NEED to, like you will NOT speak right afterwards. You need to have an understanding of how your voice works, so prior vocal training is imperative. Lastly, consider VFS as a final option because you will NOT have the same range and function of your voice. I cannot go falsetto anymore, I lost some volume, and my voice still gets tired after a day of speaking despite doing adductory power training since surgery. VFS is very much an option for those that need it, but people need to understand the limitations. Having a good vocal coach and surgeon that can determine if VFS is right for you is also paramount.
I'm post-VFS; and I agree strongly with Z. You should not get it except as an absolute last resort after all else has failed, and your voice dysphoria is very acute; and, even if you get it, you must still continue daily training after, for optimal recovery. I was one of the unlucky few who truly needed it. (As an illustration - my best two celebrity impressions used to be Christopher Lee and James Earl Jones.) I have had however good results, and am happy. But it is def not for everyone.
Zhea... First off, I'd just like you to know that as a trans woman trying to make her way in the world and who is also just starting out on her journey that you are such an inspiration! 🤩 You are also super cute, being THAT cute should be illegal in all honesty! 😂 I love your channel and I also do imagine that you've not only inspired but also helped a lot of people already! I'm just so nervous to even begin to try any of your lessons though unfortunately... 😅 I'd much prefer having someone with me in person to guide me along the way (why can't you just come to me Zhea!) 😂 In all seriousness though, thank you so very much for your channel, its content and all that you do... 💖 You are literally the best at what you do and I just love listening to you explain everything, you really know what you're talking about and it truly shows! 🥰 Keep being awesome lovely lady! 😘 xx
Also to answer your question Zhea, I don't believe that anyone NEEDS vocal surgery. It's more so just an optional thing that will differ from person to person! People may have their reasons as to why they want/had it in the first place. That does not mean that EVERYONE else requires it too, you know? That's just my most honest opinion though... 😅
One problem that I've been having is that I have a perfect voice when talking to myself, but the moment I try to talk to people with it, they always guess I'm trans. Been trying to get used to using the voice in casual situations (aka talking on discord), but that has actually made my voice gradually worse (wtf?) so now I'm worse than before I started talking on Discord, and I have no idea how to get back to the level I was on how do I fix that? it's...very demotivating .
I used to watch your channel a long time ago, and life kind of got in the way, but now I'm back. Wow, your voice is even more delightful now. Of course it's 100% feminine but the adjective "calm" now comes to mind. You lead by example -- an inspiring example.
Impatiently waiting for technology to solve this problem. Where is the vocal implant chip ao many of us need. Make it connect to my smart phone so i can dial in the voice i want
Haha, love the idea! The problem is, voice is guided by perception. We acquire perceptual targets to which we then use to constantly react against to guide and mediate vocal output. Most of the speech objects we acquire very early in life so most people experience their voice as some kind of automatic magic. Voice learning and voice control is all about our ability to perceive what we are always capable of sensing*. A vocal implant chip would have to read your mind to determine what exactly you want, but if you don't have the perceptual ability, then you couldn't even communicate what you wanted to that chip. It would be like trying to learn how to draw blindfolded while a machine guides your hand. You could try to specify what you want to the machine but only you are internally capable of truly knowing what you want beyond what is vaguely communicable through attempts to describe the quality you're after. However, auditory qualities are much harder to accurately describe in words because they do not have precise visio-spatial or discrete objects interacting like visual mediums or such. There is also a time component to sound which makes it quite hard to imagine something like that. I actually discussed this with Dr. James Thomas on our long form interview! I've thought about how a device like that would work for ages but the difficulty is, ultimately to achieve the expression you want, you have to be able to perceive in some capacity the expression you want. Behavioral is an internal process. We would have to create some interface to "read the mind" but if you aren't even perceptually aware of what you're ultimately after you couldn't even really communicate it to the chip, otherwise you'd just communicate it with your vocal sound.
This might be a bit of a hot take, but I kind of view things like AI voice changers or a magic throat chip as a deus ex machina. It's cool to think about and probably a good way to condition yourself, but kinda limited at best and a way to avoid putting in effort at worst
I had vocal surgery with haben in 2020 and it failed. Zero change in pitch. Surgeon ghosted me after, said it was my fault, offered nothing and told me to go to another doctor to get my throat looked it. Well I did, and nothing got damaged, the stitches held. So basically, the surgery succeeded in reducing my vocal chord length, but absolutely and hideously failed at changing the way I sound and actually made my voice more tired and worse overall.
I had Voice surgery (Modified Wendler Glottoplasty in April 2023 with Mr Chadwan Al Yagchi. The risk was actually minimal and the results are an effortless feminine voice. Admitadly I had a lot of voice training with a qualified and experienced voice therapist. I also already had a good Female speaking voice. But to me it felt put on and fake. I'm delighted that now all the self consciousness and nervousness has gone and I feel confident with my voice. Voice surgery isn't for everyone and it undeniably helped that I put the time in with training. As far as risk the surgeon explained the biggest risk was actually just the laser burning the throat which was 1/1000 and the surgeon including his mentor have never encountered this in all thier time. The Surgery has a very high success rate, I'm due my last follow up in a couple of days and I can honestly say its made me unbelievablebly happy.
even just singing practise has naturally raised my vocal range up to an upper limit of around 450-500hz (c5) without even actively feminising it. it is more than possible to get higher range with active practise and tutoring, i've never had a singing coach and now i can't even reach as low as i used to be able to. i have a massive headstart - the main thing i need to work on is making my speaking voice sound more natural, but someone who hasn't practised as much as i have can absolutely raise their range with practise.
Went to Dr. Thomas fairly recently for Femlar. It's worth it and has had a substantial impact considering I had a huge voice box that couldn't be sufficiently reduced aesthetically with a tracheal shave alone, but I also think Z is right at the same time here. I haven't really lost substantial power to my voice, or oddly enough, even lost much my range (even much of the low range, even though I think it's more vocal fry down there now. I think I may have even gained high notes in my modal voice, pending further recovery). YMMV though. I highly doubt my voice would sound as feminine as it is though without training myself to speak in a more feminine manner even now though. PS: If you are considering VFS, please forget Cricothyroid Approximation (CTA) exists, DO NOT GET IT EXCEPT AS AN ABSOLUTE LAST RESORT EVEN IF THE SURGEON INSISTS (I did the research, and I see this: 👀and shame on Dr. Haben in NY, at least what he has written on his site). That will definitely mess with your vocal range as it takes away the cricothyroid muscle long term. Glottoplasty/Femlar/Laser Tuning are what you should consider imho.
Thank you for this comment and name dropping!! I am really considering my options right now, and i will NOT be going to them. Seeing so many people say this is a last resort unsettles me, I have a feminine voice naturally and im still considering it because i dont sing seriously yet, honestly i want to try singing after so i cant miss my voice. (Cant miss what i dont know is there) & my voice gets very low and deep when im angry scaring people. Would you say this is dumb of me? Again, thank you for your comment!
Dr Thomas did my surgery in 2021 and co2 laser in 2022. I am going back for ktp laser next year because my voice is hoarse because of him. I also have had limited change and my voice wasn't even that masculine compared to 95% of boys. Honestly he's a butcher, pretexted he did an error of measure but still made me pay 4k for laser. My voice before co2 laser after femlar was way lower and worse than before my surgery. LOL.
But some people have had good and some excellent results. It seems he was better in 2018 and 2019. Not sure what happened with him. Also his surgery is way too expensive for zero guarantee.
The Feminization Laryngoplasty procedure is what I would consider the gold standard (despite if not being done as the standard anyway) it just needs to be made less invasive and there needs to be more surgical/medical methods created to preserve and/or heal phonation. If Trans Healthcare wasn’t chronically underfunded and pushed to the wayside VFS would be SO much fucking better. (Unfortunately they’re banning Federal Funding for Trans Healthcare cause the world is decaying and going Nazi, yay.)
It’s already come so far even in just a decade imagine if the world wasn’t trying to fucking eradicate us and ACTUALLY get us the care we need, imagine-dare I say ONE country actually seriously invested in our healthcare, just one. Needless to say it wouldn’t be anything short of revolutionary.
Hi Zhea (hope I spelt that right,) I’m a trans girl who’s just starting voice training. I watched one of your older videos on how to get started, so I’m practicing changing my pitch and weight but I’m not sure where I need to go next, so if you or anyone else could point me in the right direction that would be great😊
It's really hard for me to know if I should give up on voice training or not. I've spend well over a year trying to learn, 3-5 csgo games a day trying to pass in the vc. I've been at the same passing 1/4 times I've been for the last 8 months. I really dont know if it's even worth it for me to try anymore or just give up and hope vocal surgery doesnt destroy my voice if I can ever get it.
It’s quite a low risk that VFS will destroy your voice. Don’t feel bad or negative about it if you decide that’s the best option for you personally. I’ll just say by 8 months I hadn’t gotten very far in my journey. Sending you the best :)
Hey, Zhea! *QUESTION TIME!* I like to perform extreme metal vocals (false cord screams, gutturals, death growls, etc.) and I was wondering if voice training would hinder my ability to hit those DISGUSTING lows, or vice versa???
Hmm, unlikely! Deep normalization around a different specialty could influence your interactions with your initial specialty but generally we gain an increase in function rather than decrease - until normalizing a diff deep specialty. Sort of like someone going to gym early on or even at an mid level can generally improve all skills of fitness but at the elite level, deep specialization occurs which can disrupt specialization elsewhere (power lifter vs cross country athlete) although its not quite as significant in voice. Generally you should be good!
I always had vocal surgery in the back of my mind but in recent years i have completely cut that option because of the music career i want to have, right now i can do my own low/medium/high harmonies and i wouldn't want that to change due to surgery.
Idek how to practice my voice cus what I end up doing is speaking just with a higher and softer pitch which kinda works and kinda passes but I need a more stable pallet and learn how I can improve it…
Hi! Is it possible that I temporarily slipped into a "trans-voice" on accident when singing during puberty? I finally got a reliable feel for how to raise my larynx yesterday-ish, so I started giving more attention to the voice softening stuff and melody and also tried actual singing - and at some point I noticed that I sounded at least a little bit like what I remember doing at a point in the past when thinking I did Falsetto - before stopping for a long time and then not being able to use it (definitely real Falsetto this time) properly any more. I then did Falsetto on purpose and found that it was different (relief - I didn't do my voice wrong) and still didn't work well. What got me thinking about the question above is that I remember a guy telling me once (when I did said thing that I thought was Falsetto) that I didn't sound like Falsetto but instead as though I was using a kid's voice (which I assume reverting back to would have been easier back then, when testosterone hadn't had as much time yet to change my standard voice).
Ive been wondering that too! When I was scrolling through her older videos I couldn’t find anything. I’ve also been browsing clinics on my own but idk. I just wanna be rest assured before going into something like that. Otherwise, paying thousands of dollars for a result I’m not happy with is not something I’m willing to risk.
@@quassigio7395she went to Dr Keojampa but I wouldn't go to him. There are better surgeons. Unless you have a very good starting base he won't feminize your forehead like before puberty and I don't like how he doesn't lower the radix enough..
The only painful thing is I don't know if my voice will ever sound like it was supposed to, due to the effects of testosterone now it feels like just passing is enough of a challenge but I feel I'll never reach that voice I had, my sister has, and my mother has.
I found out through you that I'm a vocal underdoer. I have muscle tension dysphonia which I saw an ENT for and he sent me to a speech pathologist, but she didn't seem aware of that. I tried her exercises, but I struggled with them. I'm not really sure what to do I just know that I really struggle with exercises and vocal expression.
if you're having trouble with that it tends to imply you're too rigid, stiff, strained, and inefficient in the way you're moving higher. efficiency tends to create the availability of dynamic range. inefficiency takes away dynamic range. yes, VFS has a significant chance (quite a high one depending on the specific procedure) at reducing dynamic range. VFS always reduces, capability, never expands it. That reduction in capability comes with an easier time "maintaining" because it raises the floor of action - ideally the ceiling remains unchanged but that is fairly unlikely*. *ymmv
Ive been struggling with vocal training these last few years, I watch videos, I practice as much as I can, but despite this I still can't achieve the feminization that I want, its incredibly depressing. Especially when I consider getting training from professional vocal trainers, it cost THOUSANDS, the same thousands that would go into vocal surgery which I am not sure will be enough. I'm at lost. This really feels so hopeless sometimes and I am at lost on what to do.
This surgery absolutely destroyed my ability to talk in loud places, and my voice isn't even feminine at all. I get weird looks for that, I cannot even describe my voice, I sound like an alien.
Of course!! I regularly help students with that and have discussed it quite a bit on both Twitter and Patreon. Eventually I'll make a video on that topic but it will either be a smaller more casual video or a much longer form video towards the end of the model series.
@@TransVoiceLessons Thank you for reply! I'll be sure to check out both. Your videos are great and have helped so many people over the course of years.
throat surgery is something i dont want. whenever i think about it i just think of the "Ballad of the Superstar Surgeon Paolo Macchiarini" who was a throat surgeon back in 2010 who ended up getting a bunch of people killed, even over more benigne procedures... the throat is to essential for life to risk
okay so i don't know if you respond to questions on older videos so i'mma ask here hey z i'm just starting out on voice feminization and was wondering if singing to practice would help at all at my current stage of my journey or if it would be better to leave that till later on when i've got things like pitch and weight down?
Yes I have been told multiple times that surgery will be required. I have a crazy deep voice, and I had throat cancer 13 years ago. My range and volume is limited by the scar tissue left behind.
Pre-existing vocal complications certainly change the process. I can't say for certain if the assessment you've had is accurate or not. Scar tissue can definitely disrupt typical phonation and quality. Having a "crazy deep voice" isn't really that big of a barrier though - the other stuff I can not comment on without directly hearing. Best of luck in your journey!
@TransVoiceLessons it's deep and raspy. The cancer involved my uvula so it and the supporting tissue was removed it's wide open into my sinus cavity. So I have the scars starting at the base of the tongue up the sides where all of my tonsils are removed and the uvula and 70% of the soft palate was removed. If I shine light in my nose, my mouth lights up. Combine all that with snap in dentures imrt killed my teeth they all fell out.. I was given a dead in 6-9mo diagnosis with 1% odds 🤔 so I can't complain to much
Hello, Zhea! I have one question. I've been doing voice feminization for 4-5 months now. Due to circumstances, HRT is not yet available to me, and I am feminization my voice without it. In general, is there any sense in voice training without HRT. Will testosterone negate all my efforts?
I have a deeper voice and worry about that. How do you change your laugh or yelling? My insurance covers vocal lessons and i will be doing that. Just nervous i won't be able to
A vocal trainer told me flat out that my pitch will not raise beyond what I am currently capable of, and that pitch is not within the female range. Was this person wrong? Or, if she was right, how am I supposed to pass without surgery to increase that pitch? Also, I think this video failed to mention the huge time commitment required for this kind of vocal training. I don't have ten years to spend learning this, my voice is having a negative effect on my quality of life right this minute; I can't endure that until I'm in my mid-30s.
That is quite literally impossible for me to answer since the main information we use to determine voice is sound and through a text post I am incapable of hearing you. That said, it would be unlikely you lack the capability to raise your voice to a necessary pitch area. I don’t believe I’ve worked with anyone yet who fundamentally lacks the capacity to reach a target pitch area. Most effects in feminization aren’t really about pitch anyways. Voice training doesn’t have to take ten years, or two years. It’s not a forced window of time. The length of time it takes is non-linear dependent on a persons ability to grok fundamentals. That depends on a lot of dynamics involved. I have seen people achieve great results in a matter of weeks and others take much longer depending on their internal orientation to the process.
You know whats really convenient. I'm German and the name Zhea is pronounced exactly like the pronoun "sie" which is the German female pronoun. So when I'm talking to someone about her it's literally not clear if I'm referring by name or pronoun.
Vocal Surgery is kinda weird imo. The only method I’ve heard of has them tie up your cords to change their shape, but I don’t think the results are great from what little I’ve heard.
How can I increase base pitch, lighten vocal weight, and increase resonance with minimal strain. I’ve been voice training for years now but I never use my “female voice” because it makes my dysphoria fluctuate and I think it sounds bad. My relationship with my voice is at the point to where if I can go mute then I will. However although I’m an introvert my job requires a lot of extroversion which I can do, I can present and talk if needed but every time a stranger sees me then hears my voice it makes me feel vulnerable. At times I do pass and my voice can be dangerous because it can make it more difficult to pass. Second I’m waiting on hormones unfortunately. Luckily over the years I learned how to dress and style myself as well as how to do my hair to pass. My goal isn’t even passing really it’s just I want to be seen as valid as any other woman. To be seen that way and to be appreciated romantically and or sexually as a woman because I am straight and am not akin to a fem boy. There’s nothing wrong with fembois or other gender diverse folk as far as expression or identity, I don’t even consider myself binary but I do relate to womanhood and want to be seen as within in it. Not only that I’m hyperfeminine so my gender identity while agender is pretty feminine as well as how I want to express my gender, and I am attracted to men. All this to express I want to be seen and treated fully as female, how could a maintain a feminine key while it nit being strenuous, I don’t cut off my air ways while speaking so what are other ways. My dysphoria is mainly social and relating to secondary sex characteristics, please help. 🙏🙏🙏
May I ask if you had surgery on your upper lip? To me it appears shorter than it was 4 years ago - and to me that is really significant, acoustically and biomechanically. In my system, you've made changes to two acoustic "areas of interest". Those happen to be the two lenses (biomechanical, acoustic) you're saying don't matter. Sorry if this is intrusive, but I think it's part of the truth to tell here. If someone is looking for your results, and surgery is part of it, that ought to be part of the message, no? You look great btw 😊 Also as an outsider, I have to say that it looks more like a very age-specific feminization. The feminine voices in my life don't all sound youthful, but yours definitely does, and that seems to go with a short upper lip whether someone is AFAB or not.
that's not helpful, how do i know if my voice is truly broken beyond what one can fix with just training? i simply can't reach the higher pitch that even amab people can, much less a more feminine pitch. and i know this isn't all, but it is important to me
My doctor put me on T-shots for a year and a half before i realized i was trans. It really ruined my ability to get the tone and resonance i need to pass. I have mastered every other facet of voice therapy except the resonance. Best i can hope for is a voice like 90s hollywood gay stereotypes.
