Female to Male Transition Without Testosterone Therapy
Some people choose to transition without hormone therapy. The reasons for this may be the high cost of medications, access to healthcare in general, and the side effects of testosterone therapy, such as hypertension, liver damage or weight gain (Vazquez, 2008).
There are multiple websites geared towards helping people, not just those transitioning, to lower their voices. In many cases, this is a similar buyer-beware situation as many other "cures" being sold on the Internet. The most effective exercises will be an individualized program designed by a vocal coach or SLP and may consist of the following:
Relaxation techniques - A tighter , more tense laryngeal area will cause the pitch to rise. (Boone, McFarlane, Von Berg & Zraik, 2010)
Breath Support - Adequate breath support will prevent pitch from rising as air is forced through the larynx. (Boone, McFarlane, Von Berg & Zraik, 2010)
Resonation exercises - Since men have a larger resonance space (Friedenberg, 2002), those transitioning FtM will need to work on exercises to utilize the maximum amount of space available in their resonating cavities.
Pragmatics - Women utilize more eye contact and typically approach directly, while men will approach a conversation from the side. (Leiberman, n.d.)
Prosody - For example, male speech tends to be characterised by what speech therapists call 'hard attack' --- the first syllable is pronounced very hard, and quickly. Women usually start a sentence more softly. (Looking Glass Society, 1997)
There are multiple websites geared towards helping people, not just those transitioning, to lower their voices. In many cases, this is a similar buyer-beware situation as many other "cures" being sold on the Internet. The most effective exercises will be an individualized program designed by a vocal coach or SLP and may consist of the following:
Relaxation techniques - A tighter , more tense laryngeal area will cause the pitch to rise. (Boone, McFarlane, Von Berg & Zraik, 2010)
Breath Support - Adequate breath support will prevent pitch from rising as air is forced through the larynx. (Boone, McFarlane, Von Berg & Zraik, 2010)
Resonation exercises - Since men have a larger resonance space (Friedenberg, 2002), those transitioning FtM will need to work on exercises to utilize the maximum amount of space available in their resonating cavities.
Pragmatics - Women utilize more eye contact and typically approach directly, while men will approach a conversation from the side. (Leiberman, n.d.)
Prosody - For example, male speech tends to be characterised by what speech therapists call 'hard attack' --- the first syllable is pronounced very hard, and quickly. Women usually start a sentence more softly. (Looking Glass Society, 1997)
Special Notes on Voice Transition While Maintaining a Singing Voice
Until recently, the conventional wisdom was that once a FtM individual started testosterone therapy, he would lose the ability to sing well. Constansis (2008), in his self study on transitioning while maintaining a singing voice, challenged that assertion and offered ways to maintain the ability to sing during and after transition.
1. Instead of the initial high dose of injectible testosterone, vocal musicians should consider a low start and more gradual increase in testosterone intake that more closely resembles the natural voice transition that occurs for biological males during puberty.
2. Use proper diaphragmatic breathing techniques to better support the vocal change to a lower pitch.
3. Accept limitations of a changing vocal tract, such as fatigue brought on by the use of chest binders.
Specific details on his recommended exercises can be found here.
1. Instead of the initial high dose of injectible testosterone, vocal musicians should consider a low start and more gradual increase in testosterone intake that more closely resembles the natural voice transition that occurs for biological males during puberty.
2. Use proper diaphragmatic breathing techniques to better support the vocal change to a lower pitch.
3. Accept limitations of a changing vocal tract, such as fatigue brought on by the use of chest binders.
Specific details on his recommended exercises can be found here.