/ transvoicelessons
for lesson inquiries: transvoicelessons@gmail.com
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
/ transvoicelessons
transvoicelessons.com
transvoicelessons@gmail.com
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