the_fantastic_ms_fox (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
the_fantastic_ms_fox) wrote2007-09-06 11:05 pm
the_fantastic_ms_fox) wrote2007-09-06 11:05 pm
(no subject)
To date, practicing my voice takes a close second in terms of frustration to the months of bureaucracy prior to getting "permission" to start hormones.
Voice practice requires several things.
Before you begin,
Can you accept that different sources will give you completely different forms of advice?
Okay then...
First:
Can you describe what makes one voice masculine or feminine, and/or female or male?
On the biological ("female/male") end, there's:
Pitch: mean hertz
Breathyness: space between vocal chords
Clarity: not sounding like you have a sore throat
Formant Frequency: two simultaneous high-pitched tones that distinguish vowels, as well as female from male from children's voices
Resonance: sound quality produced by larynx shape
On the social ("masculine/feminine") end there's
Intonation: variation in pitch (so long as one can sound confident, feminine intonation makes for better public speaking - I've tried starting with masculine more-monotone intonation, and when I switch to feminine intonation, people's heads pick up and their eyes fix on me )
Word choice: "Oh my, those CFS types certainly steams my frogs" is, in our culture, more feminine. "Those goatfucking sacks of fish-shit CFS bastards," is seen as more masculine.
Conversational Habits: "I'm listening" noises like "Mmm hmm"
Body language: head tilts, space, physical contact
There is also a difference in consonant pronunciation. Not sure if it's biological or social. Most likely mostly, but not entirely, the latter.
So, do you want to go in the direction of a feminine male, or a masculine female, or a feminine female, or a masculine male voice?
Given that a feminine male voice will just make me sound like a gay man, I've reached the concluision that I don' give a shit about masculine or feminine - I just want to sound female. This said, if it improves my overall communication habits as well as helping in passing, then I guess more feminine is okay.
Second:
Can you hear what is lacking in your own voice?
Could you actually say "I think my/your formant frequencies are off?"
Can you do this while listening to a recording of your own voice?
Can you actually remember what you want your voice to sound like after you've been doing this five times a week for the last two months?
Third:
Having identitifed strengths and deficiencies, can you alter your voice to correct them?
Can you isolate muscles to produce the right tone?
Fourth:
Can you sustain this for any length of time?
And can you incorporate sustainable speech habits into your practice?
Fifth:
Can you remember to do all this while speaking all day?
When you bump into someone? When you're distracted? When you're tired?
Sixth:
Do you have the (soon-to-be-metaphorical) balls to do it in public?
Can you accept that some people will hear you as male and others as female?
Seventh
Do you have the patience to stick with this for the several months it will take to get it together?
Eighth:
Are you willing to accept that, even with all this, there is only so much you can do.
Yeah. Frustrating.
Fortunately, I know that:
- my funny-sounding voice is better that my default-male voice
- I can take a break whenever I want
- there's nothing morally wrong with what I'm doing or how I sound
If, when you hear me speak, you have even hazy suggestions or comments, I'd love to hear them.
Voice practice requires several things.
Before you begin,
Can you accept that different sources will give you completely different forms of advice?
Okay then...
First:
Can you describe what makes one voice masculine or feminine, and/or female or male?
On the biological ("female/male") end, there's:
Pitch: mean hertz
Breathyness: space between vocal chords
Clarity: not sounding like you have a sore throat
Formant Frequency: two simultaneous high-pitched tones that distinguish vowels, as well as female from male from children's voices
Resonance: sound quality produced by larynx shape
On the social ("masculine/feminine") end there's
Intonation: variation in pitch (so long as one can sound confident, feminine intonation makes for better public speaking - I've tried starting with masculine more-monotone intonation, and when I switch to feminine intonation, people's heads pick up and their eyes fix on me )
Word choice: "Oh my, those CFS types certainly steams my frogs" is, in our culture, more feminine. "Those goatfucking sacks of fish-shit CFS bastards," is seen as more masculine.
Conversational Habits: "I'm listening" noises like "Mmm hmm"
Body language: head tilts, space, physical contact
There is also a difference in consonant pronunciation. Not sure if it's biological or social. Most likely mostly, but not entirely, the latter.
So, do you want to go in the direction of a feminine male, or a masculine female, or a feminine female, or a masculine male voice?
Given that a feminine male voice will just make me sound like a gay man, I've reached the concluision that I don' give a shit about masculine or feminine - I just want to sound female. This said, if it improves my overall communication habits as well as helping in passing, then I guess more feminine is okay.
Second:
Can you hear what is lacking in your own voice?
Could you actually say "I think my/your formant frequencies are off?"
Can you do this while listening to a recording of your own voice?
Can you actually remember what you want your voice to sound like after you've been doing this five times a week for the last two months?
Third:
Having identitifed strengths and deficiencies, can you alter your voice to correct them?
Can you isolate muscles to produce the right tone?
Fourth:
Can you sustain this for any length of time?
And can you incorporate sustainable speech habits into your practice?
Fifth:
Can you remember to do all this while speaking all day?
When you bump into someone? When you're distracted? When you're tired?
Sixth:
Do you have the (soon-to-be-metaphorical) balls to do it in public?
Can you accept that some people will hear you as male and others as female?
Seventh
Do you have the patience to stick with this for the several months it will take to get it together?
Eighth:
Are you willing to accept that, even with all this, there is only so much you can do.
Yeah. Frustrating.
Fortunately, I know that:
- my funny-sounding voice is better that my default-male voice
- I can take a break whenever I want
- there's nothing morally wrong with what I'm doing or how I sound
If, when you hear me speak, you have even hazy suggestions or comments, I'd love to hear them.
no subject
I know it shouldn't be important, but in jobs where verification of identity is involved, you need to determine from voice alone whether that person is male or female, just by the sound of their voice. 99% of the time, you know in the first second or two.
In the other one percent, the biggest factor is age: pre-pubertal youths, and the very old. After that, I would say it is harder with non-English speakers, because some of the social/cultural factors may vary or be absent.
The third factor is heavy smoking, which can make a woman sound like a man.
There is certainly a tonal quality that, for me, distinguishes masculine from feminine. Feminine voices are "light", whereas masculine voices are "heavy" or "dark". Note that this is a gender split, rather than a biological one.
I don't think your voice is "funny-sounding", it's just evolving. In fact, I think it suits you better now than before the transition.
Revision to point one