The Single MOST Powerful Element of Voice Feminization: Meta Resonance | Exercises & Lecture

This video explains the most important element of voice feminization and why it is so important. In the video there are 4 primary exercises from my vault to help you learn control over this resonance.

Every container around you, produces a tone when tapped. This is called a "natural frequency". Your throat (pharynx) has it's own natural frequency based on how large it is. We call this frequency, R1. It strongly determines the sex perception of an individuals voice.

When exposed to testosterone, the vocal tract expands, causing this natural frequency to shift lower. By learning control the shape and size of the vocal tract, we can control R1, thereby giving us the ability to reverse the primary effect hormones had on the vocal tract.

While there are other resonances and other elements responsible for voice feminization, by far the most significant and important difference is R1. Several things can control R1: oropharyngeal closure, larynx height, tongue positioning, epilaryngeal modifications, different jaw positions, and much more. The key is to not get lost in all of these little words or the individual components. Instead, we focus on what all of these things work together to achieve: R1 control.

We learn this control by mimicking positive models. By accurately mimicking what I do, you will be copying the muscle behavior responsible for changing R1. Then, you can work to increase awareness of what's responsible for that shift and work to integrate it into a speaking voice.

Here are 4 of my own favorite approaches that you can take to explore R1:
1. R1 Raising + Voiceless [ɛ] as in Edge.
2. R1 Raising + Voiceless [pə] as in Puck.
3. R1 Raising + Voiced [m]
4. R1 Raising + Voiced Vowel Gradients

If you properly mimic these exercises, your vocal tract is shrinking. These should be treated as tools to teach you the general movement and feeling associated with altering R1. Doing these over and over without understanding why, misses the point. These exercises are demonstrations of what it sounds like when we shrink the vocal tract, thus raise R1, to female or beyond female averages. Use them as tools to show yourself the behavior you are trying to learn.

Resonance is not a place, it's not a "feeling", it's not magic: It's how cavities, chambers, and rooms, cause the sound inside them to behave differently. The fundamental challenge of voice feminization, is learning how to stabilize and maintain a higher R1 during speech without any harsh effects like squeeking, scratching, tension, or awkwardness.

If every element about your voice is perfect but the R1 is very bad, you will still get perceived as male. If the R1 is very good but everything else is terrible, you will be perceived as female. The weight and importance of R1 control can not be overstated.

I hope this video helps everyone understand this concept more!!
warmly,
z

[loaf]

Exercise 1 example: 6:24
Exercise 2 example: 8:00
Exercise 3 example: 9:03
Exercise 4 example 9:49
Btw thx so much for this @TransVoiceLessons

[flaflaflamingo]

"I'm just trying to do an impression mom, dont worry"

[ExtremalMetal]

My neighbours be learning the causality between heat and fire

[Magistrate_of_the_Elder]

The "heat from fire" thing is cursed. It's like some sort of cryptic deathchant. I love it.

[ttttillermand]

I'm a happily cis man who is never going to actually use any of these lessons personally, but it's pretty cool how you can make your voice sound so naturally feminine. It has a whole science to it. To the trans men and women out there, you have my support!

[scartinusen]

I'm at a point in my transition where people clock me as a cis woman until I speak, and I've had a really hard time finding a vocal coach that my insurance will accept. I'm proud to be a trans woman but I'd also like to be able to pass as a cis woman in situations where I don't feel safe. I also just want to sound more feminine as part of my transition goals aside from passing and all of that. So thank you for this, it's really helpful!

[LividE]

Broke: Voice Feminization

Woke: *_V o c a l S o r c e r y_*

[陳奕釩-ic]

I tried, and my voice went up 20hz. This is some trans blood magic

[alliekittenzx]

i promise i will not spiral down the pit of self hatred. i will instead learn this magic trick.

[lexieprice]

1 year after the class I still struggle with my voice a lot. But this video started to have new meaning for me. Thank you for making it, posting it, and keeping it publicly available.

[potatoproductions]

When I first tried these exercises I was legitimately startled.
To provide some background I have a condition which makes faces harder to recognize so I usually tell people apart by their voice among other things.
To be honest it was a similar feeling to looking in the mirror your first time dressing fem and realizing you don't recognize yourself but in a good way.

This is the most interesting experience I've had in months.

[evelyndnd]

First thing I learnt from this: Flicking your vocal chords hurts

ow

[bop]

Cis woman here, this got recommended to me, and as a lifelong singer, I learned more about my vocal instrument here than in any class. Amazing work! You sound great and this is really comprehensive and succinct.

[thephilosophersstoned]

As a voice actor, thank you very much <3 My femme voice has gotten some...delightful attention and I can't wait to practice what you teach.

[awoo]

I never really had faith that I would ever be able to change my voice and this was always the thing I used to justify not transitioning. But in just 5 short minutes of practice from this video, I already have far more hope than I ever had in a smooth transition.

Tysm

[dylabetes]

So as someone who’s finally come to terms with being trans female this helps a lot more than other people just doing like a weird falsetto type thing and calling it a “girl voice”. Hoping to put this lesson to good use in the future

[lunaparker]

“And as testosterone expanded my vocal tract...”
“:( F”
Omg that’s such a mood though

[AuricomSystems]

Can we get some Fs in chat for those of us exposed to testosterone when we did not wish to be

[AkanoWire]

I love how your low larynx sounds like female voice mimicing a male voice c:

[adrianvelasco]

As a cis male who is actually interested in having a "manlier" voice, this was suuuuper helpful, it made me understand a lot of things about my voice. You do an amazing work explaining these exercises!