Transgender voice practice

Some people want to change how their speaking voice sounds as part of their gender expression. Other people do not. It is your choice. Those who do often start with practice.

Free choices

  • Some people can change their voice by watching free videos or using free apps and software.

Paid choices

  • Some people work with a voice coach or voice instructor, either in person or by video. Some of us only need one lesson, but others pay for many lessons.

Medical choices

  • If you can not find your voice through practice on your own or with a coach, you might consider voice therapy. This is with a trained specialist called a speech-language pathologist (SLP). For some people, this may be covered by insurance. You will need to check, though. It might not be covered.
  • I feel that you should not get voice surgery if possible. It costs a lot of money and might not work. Only get it if nothing else works. If you want surgery, meet some people in person who have had it with the surgeon you want to use. That may change your mind.

Good free resources

I started writing about voice in the 1990s. In 2002, I made a video called Finding Your Female Voice (FYFV). It became the top voice video for many years. I have more free voice resources at the link below:

http://www.genderlife.com/voicetutor

I show how to use a spectrogram to see your voice as you practice.

You can see more videos on our YouTube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/deepstealth

Voice coaching

Some people find it helpful to have a lesson with a voice coach. This can help you find your voice, which can be hard to feel on your own.

I offer voice lessons via video or phone:

Details at http://www.genderlife.com/consult

Zheanna from TransVoiceLessons.com has a great series of videos on voice:

Other trans YouTubers

These channels have also done some helpful videos on voice but are not dedicated to voice topics.

Ava Rose: UCzGIEWQ4lDAzD6WzCwnJc3w

Stef Sanjati: ThePrinceSane

Zoey Alexandria: UCb0vBudtvi0FhRnbNSC32qA

Books

These books are for specialists who work with our community, but they may be of interest.

Richard K. Adler, Sandy Hirsch, and Jack Pickering (2018). Voice and Communication Therapy for the Transgender/Gender Diverse Client: A Comprehensive Clinical Guide. ISBN: 978-1944883300

Liz Jackson Hearns and Brian Kremer (2018). The Singing Teacher’s Guide to Transgender Voices. ISBN: 978-1635500936

Matthew Mills and Gillie Stoneham (2017). The Voice Book for Trans and Non-Binary People ISBN: 978-1785921285

Abbie Olszewski, Selah Sullivan, and Adriano Cabral (2018). Here’s How to Teach Voice and Communication Skills to Transgender Women. ISBN: 978-1635500653

Lynette Nisbet (2012). Girl Talk: The Transgender Guide for Voice and Feminization. ISBN: 978-1611700770

Apps

I recommend using a spectrogram to view your voice as you practice.

Transgender Voice Tutor (genderlife.com/voicetutor)

  • List of free and paid spectrograms and how to use them

2pass Clinic Voice App (2passclinicvoiceapp.com)

  • I offer lessons in English on this app

Exceptional Voice App (exceptionalvoiceapp.com)

  • Eva F and Eva M

DEVExtras (devextras.com)

  • Voice tools (iOS or Android)

Speechtools (speechtools.co)

Resources

Transgender Voice Lessons (transvoicelessons.com)

Reddit (reddit.com)

GenderLife (genderlife.com)