Voice lessons

S. Lisa Smith · Post by **S. Lisa Smith** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:51 pm

have wanted to take my CDing to another level for a while. I have done the voice tape by Melanie Phillips, but I really couldn't keep my voice femme all day (or even for an hour). I decided that my voice was going to be my next task.

I tried to contact Danae Doyle who is famous for helping CDs and TSs become more feminine. She had advertised a telephone voice class, but never answered my emails. I then decided to see if I could get voice lessons near, but not too near Tidewater Virginia where I live. I found a voice coach not too far away in Yorktown, Virginia. I had my first lesson today. It was amazing!

I had a 45 minute lesson today. We talked about what I wanted to accomplish and then she tried out my range. I was amazed to find that I actually could sing and talk in a higher range and I feel that I have made some progress. She gave me a bunch of exercises to do and we will have another lesson next week. It was really fun! I spoke and sang along to her piano. I could tell that she had a good time also. She thinks that one or two more lessons may get me to where I want to be (if I do my part). I'm thinking maybe a few more than that. More reports later...oh yes, she wanted to see some pictures of me dressed. I'll post one in the photo gallery. She said I looked great!

Theresa_W · Post by **Theresa_W** » Tue Dec 14, 2010 7:35 am

That's great!

my voice is definitely one of my "problem areas". I've been skeptical of some of the tapes and videos I've seen on the internet. I'd have to go quite a long way to find a good voice coach.

So for now, I'll just live vicariously through you!

Keep up the good work....& please, keep us up to date on your development.

Davita · Post by **Davita** » Tue Dec 14, 2010 9:55 pm

Did your coach talk about the more expressive women are with their voices than men? Women use (I forget the real numbers) twice the vocal range regularly than men ever do.

As for your lessons and exercises, yeppers, they are important because like anything else in out bodies, we can train that part as well. Like all the other training, practice makes perfect as well as makes it last. You go girl!

For me, I've got a natural, neutral voice that passes just fine for fem. On electronic devices -- any phone for example, it's completely fem to the point of confusing people that don't know me.

Again, keep up the good work; it will pay off.

S. Lisa Smith · Post by **S. Lisa Smith** » Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:27 pm

Davita wrote:Did your coach talk about the more expressive women are with their voices than men? Women use (I forget the real numbers) twice the vocal range regularly than men ever do.

Again, keep up the good work; it will pay off.

Actually we talked a lot about that. That is really what I need to learn, how to vary my pitch. Thanks for the good wishes!!

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 1:23 am

My voice is so husky and masculine, I could not disguise it in a month of Sundays, so I don't even try.

Just a feminine male, who lives in bras, panties, ladies jeans, and wears lipstick, nail-polish, and earrings.

Paula G · Post by **Paula G** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 5:04 am

I am sure that with the proper practise and help just about anyone can modulate thier voice appropriatly, it's just that it is an area of our self expresion that most of us rarely think about. I think any acting voice coach or singing teacher could provide the help and support needed.

A lot of it is not about pitch, many women speak in the same or lower register than many men, it is more about intonation and articulation. What you say and how you say it, gently, quieter, less abrupt, more expansive.

Lydia · Post by **Lydia** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:27 am

Just wave your hands about more - and change facial expressions.

Watch two girls chatting some time. The body language is active.

Hugs,

Lydia

Kyra · Post by **Kyra** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 12:29 pm

I've a fairly broad range and generally don't have much problem achieving a fem voice. My problem is while talking, I get too comfortable and accidentally "drop" to a lower tone.
There are quite a few Youtube videos on the subject (transgender voice), none as good as a professional, but they go offer insight.

If your coach says just a couple of lessons more, then you're well on your way!
Good luck, Lisa.

Wendae · Post by **Wendae** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 12:46 pm

I keep trying on my own and seem to be getting there. As I said in the past I have a parade field voice and it's so deep that most voice activated systems can't work for me and have to find a human. I think of all the actresses that have/had husky voices....June Allison, Jane Russell, etc and it gives me the hope for some success.

Geri Robinson · Post by **Geri Robinson** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:52 pm

The voice is something that I've always wanted to work on and learn. No matter how well you think you pass, when asked for your order at a restaurant, my voice gives me away every time. However the looks on there faces are priceless. So keep up the good work Lisa.

Jamie J · Post by **Jamie J** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 10:35 pm

Fearing that my voice wasn't quite up to snuff, I deceided to record it. I never liked the quality of my voice and still don't. After reviewing the recording, I made an appointment with a local speech coach who works with transwomen. I'll let you know how it goes.

S. Lisa Smith · Post by **S. Lisa Smith** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:40 pm

As I've said, my coach was accepting about my crossdressing and wanting to change my voice. I have been going to the lessons en homme and decided to show up as Lisa. I had shown her a few pictures of Lisa at my first meeting so she had an idea of how I looked.

I knocked on her door when she answered she couldn't believe it was me. She said I looked like a woman she knew and she said I looked great. She just couldn't get over how well I looked and she went on and on. I was loving it. Her next student knew the woman she said I looked like and asked me to stay until he got there.

The next student, a high school senior, showed up and we spoke and shook hands (of course all he got were my fingertips, no strength contest here). After I left he told her I looked very much like their friend, only I wore more makeup... He didn't have a clue until she told him I was a CD. He was amazed when she told him. This is how I looked

Paula G · Post by **Paula G** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 6:32 pm

Listening to radio four (BBC Speech based chanel) earlier this week, I was struck that Libby Pruvis the presenter of the show had a lower pitched voice than any of her male guests, yet her voice is still very feminine. I am now even more sure that it is not the pitch, it is what you say along with the intonation and articulation.

Ralitsa · Post by **Ralitsa** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:26 pm

I agree with Paula, it's not just the pitch, it's the whole way of speaking.

Did you ever notice that when you're reading something you can tell pretty quickly whether is was written by a man or a woman?