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Transgender and gender non-conforming people may choose to feminize or masculinize their voice to better align with their gender. My approach is to break down the elements of voice production and help my clients find an authentic sound that feels affirming to them.
Splitting the field of voice modification into voice "feminization" and voice "masculinization" doesn’t begin to capture the full spectrum of voices that can exist. Voices are made up of numerous different features that can be turned up or down to modify the resulting sound. The three key features to target in gender affirming voice training include: Pitch, vocal weight and resonance. While pitch may seem the most obvious, the latter two elements of voice modification actually have a more significant impact on how a voice will be gendered.
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PITCH: High (Fast vibrations) vs. Low (Slow vibrations)
The speed at which the vocal folds vibrate. When the vocal folds are stretched, they vibrate at a higher frequency and when they are shortened, they vibrate at a lower frequency. There are general pitch norms for femme voices (150-250 Hz) and masc voices (60-180Hz), however, this is not the most important factor of voice modification. The movement of pitch across a word or sentence is called intonation. In general, femme speakers tend to use more pitch movement than masc speakers and have more upward inflection.
2. VOCAL WEIGHT: Heavy (Thick cords) vs. Light (Thin cords)
The configuration of the vocal folds when they vibrate together. The vocal folds can either come together in a thick configuration (more mass is engaged) or thin configuration (less mass engaged). If the vocal folds are thicker, the voice will sound heavy and buzzy, which is more typical of a masculine sound. If the vocal folds are thinner, the voice will sound light and smooth, which is more typical of a feminine sound.
3. RESONANCE: Dark (Big space) vs. Bright (Small space)
Often described as the most important element in voice modification, resonance describes how a sound is changed by the size of the instrument it resonates in. A small space will generate a brighter sound, while a big space will generate a darker sound. In voice modification, the vocal tract is the instrument and it can either become smaller (to sound more feminine) or bigger (to sound more masculine). Ways to adjust resonance include larynx height, tongue position and lip posture.
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Non-native English speakers may be misunderstood or asked to repeat themselves often due to differences in how they pronounce sounds in English. This can be extremely frustrating and can limit both social communication and professional opportunities. Accent modification allows you to understand and correct the errors that are holding you back.
When working with clients on modifying their accent to be more aligned with the pronunciation and rhythm of Standard American (or Canadian) English, the first step is to identify the differences that are impacting your speech the most. There are 3 main categories we may focus on including sounds (correct production of consonants and vowels), syllable stress (pronunciation of words), and intonation (rhythm across a sentence). Additional strategies may include adjusting rate of speech, use of pauses and clarity of articulation.
In vocally demanding careers, an unreliable voice is a huge source of stress. Vocal fatigue and changes in vocal quality are often the result of improper voicing technique. As someone who has performed professionally, I can provide you with the knowledge and skills to allow your voice to fill a room without damaging your instrument.
For individuals who stutter, it can often feel like you are literally choking on your words. You know exactly what you want to say, but the sounds just won't come out. "Covert Stutterers" use techniques such as word switching and avoidance to hide their stutter. My approach is to encourage my clients to say what they want and provide them with techniques to free their voice.
Professional Communication
Being an engaging, assertive speaker is key to professional success, but these skills don't come naturally for many. Those who lack confidence may rush and stumble over their words while speaking or struggle to deliver a concise, cohesive message. Learning to speak with intention and confidence is a skill that can transform your career.
Even those who learned English as their first language may still have difficulty speaking clearly. Lisps that affect the 's' sound often persist into adulthood and can impact confidence when communicating. There are two types of lisps, frontal and lateral, both of which can be corrected through speech therapy. Additionally, 'r' distortions can often go uncorrected and continue to impact speech as an adult. Other individuals simply lack overall clarity in their speech and tend to mumble when talking.