Your voice is an important part of your image as a trans woman or crossdresser. Even if you rarely go out in public as a woman, there may be times when you need to speak to someone.
You want to be the whole pretty package, right? Having a voice that’s congruent with your image is a big part of that.
In this post, I’ll share 5 common voice feminization mistakes that can hold you back from achieving a natural, “passable” female voice.
1. Speaking Too Deeply
No surprise here, but the deeper your voice, the more masculine it will sound.
How do you know if your voice is too deep? Your best option is to use a frequency tuner to measure the pitch of your voice. Here are the typical frequency ranges for masculine and feminine voices:
- Male voices typically range from 100-150 Hz
- Female voices typically range from 175-250 Hz
The good news is that you can easily measure the pitch of your voice by using a frequency tuner app on your phone. Here are a couple free apps for both iOS and Android:
2. Speaking In Falsetto
Trying to mask a deep voice by speaking in an unnaturally high voice – otherwise known as falsetto – isn’t good, either. Speaking this way doesn’t make you sound like a woman, it makes you sound like Minnie Mouse.
While you do want to raise the pitch of your voice, you never want to go too high. Again, a frequency tuner is invaluable for helping you find your correct range.
3. Whispering
If you are self conscious about your voice, you may try to compensate by speaking more softly.
However, lowering the volume of your voice doesn’t make you sound more feminine, it just makes it impossible to hear you.
4. Upswinging Your Sentences
Women naturally have more “melodic intonation” to their voices. In other words, they are more animated when they speak.
Some crossdressers and transgender women make the mistake of trying to imitate this by “upswinging” their voices at the end of every sentence.
Upswinging your voice tends to make each sentence sound like a question. The result is that you sound like a stereotypical Valley Girl, which is probably not the type of woman you want to emulate.
5. Pinching Your Voice
One of the reasons that men have deeper, richer voices than women is because they have a larger “throat space.”
If you try to compensate for your deeper voice by constricting your throat, the result will sound pinched. Think Pee Wee Herman or Kermit the Frog. Again, this is something you will want to avoid.
Avoiding these mistakes is the first step towards achieving a passable feminine voice
It’s easy to go wrong in your attempts to feminize your voice. The good news is that you CAN achieve a passable feminine voice with the right tools and strategy.
That’s why I’m so excited to share my new course, Vocal Feminization for Beginners: 30 Day Transformation!
Taught by opera singer and vocal coach Lera Sonzogni, this easy-to-follow program will teach you the basics of achieving a feminine voice in just 30 days.
Learn more about Vocal Feminization for Beginners here!
Love,
Lucille
P.S. Before you go, be sure to take my voice feminization poll below. I’d love to know how important this issue is for you, along with your thoughts on the topic!
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I found that if I try to communicate in a friendly manner with a smile, regardless of my naturally deep voice, I am always welcomed warmly. I spent five days in London and was accepted everywhere I went, even with my deep voice. If you look feminine, you are welcomed even more warmly… 🙂
I’ve been training my voice for many years and I’ve achieved good results. Using voice apps have been really helpful for me. I’d love to go to a voice coach to get some lessons too
I have found that the best way to achieve a passable woman’s voice is to speak near the top of my natural range and to use a head voice only. Of course I try to speak in a much more melodic way then I did when I was trying to be a “man”. I’ve been told that I have a very pleasant contralto voice.
Back in 2017 I signed up for Kathe Perez’ personal feminization voice training program via Skype. The program lasted about six months and she said my feminized voice sounded natural and that I would never get misgender over the phone again. I work in an office with other women and also do volunteer work for two women’s organizations, so speaking with a feminine voice is very important. If she still is offering it, I would highly recommend taking Kathy Perez’ voice feminization program.
Here I am yesterday again at Nordstrom’s trying on shoes. I took off my mask for the photo! So much fun! My boyfriend thinks I’m a mall queen! Oh well, at 74, I just enjoy life now! Hugs, Suzy
Here I am yesterday again at Nordstrom’s trying on shoes. I took off my mask for the photo! So much fun! My boyfriend thinks I’m a mall queen! Oh well, at 74, I just enjoy life now! Hugs, Suzy
Hi ladies! I hate wearing a mask now, BUT! When I go out now, I almost find it easier to be the woman I am as well as talking to people. With the mask on, I try to keep my voice soft and feminine, and it seems to work! Here I am today at Macy’s doing some shopping. Was treated just like any other lady by the sales team. It was wonderful! Hugs, Suzy
My voice is a struggle for me. I find when I’m in a conversation with women it’s easier to use a more female voice, but when l am taking to men I usually end up using a more deeper voice. I think it’s because I am more afraid of judgement from men. My appearance can be more androgynous than female at times, and I think it all stems from confidence issues.
Oh, Brandy : you’re a beautiful girl – love your lips, eyes, eye brows and nose !…. of course you feel more comfortable with ladies, resulting in a more feminine voice intonation, but when talking to men : beguile them, flirt with them in your most feminine voice & persona – I know you will succeed (and the men will oursue you, no doubt… not sure if that’s what you want….) !
Brandy, you’re a fine girl 🙂
You are beautiful Miss. Brandy
Brandy,
Unless you beli be in reincarnation, you are only allowed one life. Please think about that, because you had a male life. Then you chose to be yourself, coming out as a woman! Am I right so far? This is supposed to be YOUR LIFE. And you have no idea how much time is left. So for yourself, as well as all those others who never got that chance, please live this life as the happy woman you were meant to be. Please?
Cindy you are right. I try to live my life as authentic as I can be, but I will admit, I do have my insecurities, however, my confidence as a woman is growing. Daily I become more comfortable with who I am, and I find it gets easier to overcome any judgement that comes my way. At the end of the day, this is my life, this is me, and I am happy with it.
PS Thanks Sarah!
Beautiful and profound, Cindy, thanks. Really made me think and brought tears to my eyes. I’m just turned 52 and my female nature was revealed to me like a lightning bolt between the eyes (probably not a very feminine figure of speech, but I’m learning ) only six weeks ago. Oh, BTW Brandy, you’re simply gorgeous, please believe that and live it
you are beautiful!!
Thank you!!