Femme Voice

[Cindyloo]

Ok girls. I was watching some YouTube videos last night on crossdressers and I noticed a majority of them have masculine voices. Do you feel that it is neccessary to use a more femme voice when conversing with other CD's in public? I know I would. Just seems more natural since we are trying our best to be like a woman.


Cindy

[Karren H]

Nahhh.. I gave up on that long ago... I just use my normal voice only quieter.. Except in unique situations like yesterday.. When cycling enfemme past hikers and joggers... Got pretty good at saying loudley "Passing on your left". In my femmest voice.. Lol

Love Karren

[Rita B]

I had some fun last night. Got one of those TV survey phone calls. It sounded like a nice young lady on the phone. I wasn't sure who it was at first ( the call originated from Ontario) so I answered almost in a whisper. She must have thought that she was talking to an old lady ( partially right) because she kept addressing me as ma'am.Well, I had been painting all day and I must have been tired and so my voice might have been weaker than it normally is. Anyhow, I went along with it and conversed with her for a long time, calling her honey in an old lady like way. So I wound up giving her my wife's name and address. It seems like they were trying to promote some new sitcom blah blah blah. Still it was a fun experience. Now if I could only capture that voice. . . .

Rita:tongueout

[Emily Ann Brown]

I am told I have a good fem voice I use in public.


Emily Ann

[joann07]

I'm still practicing, but what I'm doing is talking a little lighter and quieter.
I also change how I talk by using words that women would normally use instead of what I would say when I'm in guy mode.

[EricaCD]

It's easier said than done! Getting the pitch isn't so difficult, but changing the resonance to sound tolerably fem is really a challenge. I have been working on my fem voice a while now and it means a lot of work. That said, I'm doing it for exactly the reason you mention: I'd like to get the audio in sync with the video, so to speak.

[marie354]

One of the hardest things for me, is to be aware of the contractions that I have used all my life. A lot, if not most women I've known don't use them much.
Can not instead of can't.
Will not instead won't.

Didn't is one that my SO uses.... Did-dent instead of did-ent.

Some of the inflections are also very subtle and tough to make it sound natural.

I think I'm getting there, but I still need to work at it some more.

If something looks easy... You can be sure it's tough.
:hugs:

[Kate Simmons]

Some people think this is necessary but I say Why? Like Karren, I gave up long ago on that stuff. I do automatically speak softer for some reason normally when I'm en femme but think my sassiness makes up for it. After all, how many people are going to argue with a two-fisted tomboy? I used to have a book by Alison Liang on how to talk like a woman. It pointed out that a lot of it is how you talk(how you enunciate) and what you talk about more than what you sound like.:happy:

[JacquiUKTV]

Me..I have a baritone voice; women have often commented on my "deep sexy voice"; dead handy en-femme, huh? :rolleyes: The best I can do is try to lift it a tone or two, and put more expression, modulation into it, and also use facial expression, wave my hands around like a demented mime-artist....which I do anyway, but even more so......
Don't suppose it would pass in public, but I just feel that I'm making an effort, however poor.

[Eva Diva]

I suspect that less is more in this case. In any case, I would avoid the 'television comedy drag' voice. You know the one - the pseudo-falsetto caricature that goes for knee-slapping yucks. :naughty

As mentioned above, lowering the voice - in volume, not pitch - is a start. Low notes are formed in the back of your mouth, so if you keep your words in the "front of your mouth" it will help keep the pitch up without doing a goofy falsetto. It's hard to describe in words, but you can feel it when it happens.

Instead of going for a female sounding voice, I would aim for a "less male-like" sound. It's easier to play down the obviously male sounds that it is to mimic the female.

[Glenda58]

Don't try just talk softer and with different words and phases.
Did yell at some young boys who were teasing a dog with a stick while I was dressed scared the heck out of them and they run off.

[Rachel Morley]

Do you feel that it is necessary to use a more femme voice when conversing with other CD's in public?
When I first meet other cders in public I try to soften my voice and have it be more feminine. However, as the night wears on, if I'm enjoying myself I tend to start to go back to my guy voice (which thankfully isn't that deep). But yes, I am conscious that my voice needs work. :(

[Gisele]

I do use my regular guy voice when out with the other CDers at the support group. Cause we know who we are and don't care.

Now for the times I go and talk with someone out and about I try to use a fem voice. I kinda sound like a hillbilly chick. I have MUCH practice to do!

[Cindyloo]

I suspect that less is more in this case. In any case, I would avoid the 'television comedy drag' voice. You know the one - the pseudo-falsetto caricature that goes for knee-slapping yucks. :naughty

As mentioned above, lowering the voice - in volume, not pitch - is a start. Low notes are formed in the back of your mouth, so if you keep your words in the "front of your mouth" it will help keep the pitch up without doing a goofy falsetto. It's hard to describe in words, but you can feel it when it happens.

Instead of going for a female sounding voice, I would aim for a "less male-like" sound. It's easier to play down the obviously male sounds that it is to mimic the female.


Yes Eva I know what you are saying. I've been practising that lately. It does work, takes some practise to do. I was at the library tonight and observed many ladies and how they talked. Most of them had a softer tone in their voice, but then I was in the library so I don't know if that counts. Also checked out their outfits, could not resist. Thank you ladies for all of your advice and comments as well.


Hugs,
Cindy

[Sheri 4242]

Getting the pitch isn't so difficult, but changing the resonance to sound tolerably fem is really a challenge. I have been working on my fem voice a while now and it means a lot of work. That said, I'm doing it for exactly the reason you mention: I'd like to get the audio in sync with the video, so to speak.

I'd love to be able to get the audio in sync with the video, as Erica says. But, it is difficult for me b/c, as Erica also says, it is a major challenge to get the resonance in a tolerable range. I have what many have said to me over the years as a "broadcaster's voice." That is most difficut to effectively change!!! I understand that there are vocal exercises that, if faithfully practiced, will help. I'm skeptical, but might give it a shot someday soon. Until then, I'll just raise and soften the pitch when necessary -- and try not to sound like a comedian utilizing a falsetto (sp) voice.

[JoAnnDallas]

Last year at HeF2006, there was a speach therispist give a seminar on devleoping a fem voice. I think every CD at the convention was stuffed into that room. LOL Anyway they mainly work with TS's instead of CDer's. They said to really develope a fem voice takes a lot of practice and training. They also said that the key is being accepted as a female while on the telephone. You can sound totally fem in person, but use the same voice and it can come out male on a phone. Also the way you laugh/giggle can give you away since male and females laugh/giggle differently. Very interesting semiar. The did say that there are video and software programs that will help you train your voice. One such software generates a colored line and the object is to get it to stay a certain color all the time that your speaking.

[Mitch23]

sounds very difficult to me - i suspect it will be the last thing i get to focus on. it is such a giveawy though - as soon as i speak i feel just like a guy in a frock!

mitch