Testosterone changes the voice. So FtMs who like to sing before transitioning are often afraid of what will happen to their voices. However, it is important to know that FtM musicians have successfully transitioned in every way possible, including transforming their voices. And they sound just as good, if not better, than before. (Their fans also seem pretty happy with the chance.) One FtM has even managed to have a duet with his pre-transition self. Nifty, yes?
In my own limited experience as an amateur singer who has confounded music teachers and choir directors with my questions and unique situation, I have found a few useful things for comfortable singing that sounds good to the ear.
1. Sing low. This should be something that occurs naturally to us, but at least in my case, I was still trying to sing as high as before. I believe this is what young cisgender males do as well. This is what causes the voice to crack. If you try to sing lower than what you are used to when your voice is changing, you can avoid most of the cracking.
2. Listen low. If you are like me, then all your life you've listened to vocal music that you can sing along to. Stop doing that. (At least for a little while) Switch to voices that are in your vocal range, or even a little lower. Try to sing with them. Human brains (of hearing people) are sound sponges, hence why we pick up accents so easily when we move to a new place. This will help you assimilate into the non-alto or soprano world.
3. Proper breathing. But that's a good tip for every singer, so you can read about that elsewhere.
4. Good vibrations! I've noticed I feel vibration so much more than I did before taking testosterone. Sing low notes and just enjoy it. Play around with it.
5. Sing high. As your vocal chords lengthen, you will not only be able to sing deeper but also much, much higher. Falsetto is now yours, congratulations. Be careful, though, because it is easy to sing falsetto very badly and thereby ruin your voice. Also, while it may not sound bad to you, your initial attempts at falsetto, especially if you have no teacher, can sound very awkward, screeching, and off-key. It is good to know when you have gained another high note, but avoid playing with falsetto constantly. If you want to sing as a counter tenor, acquire the book, "The Counter Tenor Method" and follow every piece of advice within it. It is a phenomenal book.
6. Make your own blog about singing. Seriously. If you do a search for FtMs and singing, you will not find much. You will especially not find a guide. I obviously don't know much, so I can't offer much here. But at least it is something. Help the younger generation and give what you know.
Here are a few links relating to vocal transition:
http://genderoutlaw.wordpress.com/2007/12/21/changing-my-singing-voice/
http://transguys.com/features/testosterone-ftm-singing
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Unreal
I don't like to write or discuss or in any other way talk about something as if it isn't real. I'll snark about people's take on things, and I'll scoff at times about beliefs that I find ridiculous. But there is always some incarnation of belief that I will treat as if it were absolutely proven true.
In the fictional (and that means spiritual too), especially in horror and fantasy, everything represents something else. That is the creative bits of human brain making little puzzles to better explain the world. And because the unreal is also beyond language, every invisible thing is put away behind the veneer of fiction. So the old faerietales, the racist, sexist, homophobic, gentry-centric stories from wherever (but mostly Europe.) contain everything that is locked away in an attempt to make it stop existing.
We can't have a story about good versus evil without showing the evil, and if we think that some thing is truly evil, we only need to show it as it really is (Except if it swears. If it swears, then we can't write what it says. Or if it is naked, we must clothe it.). Because evil is evil is evil, so clearly a [insert minority here] can be represented by any evil thing. Most often by creatures that seem human but are the mythical predators to which humans are prey.
Likewise, the status quo, which is invisible, also takes its place in the form of faerietale fathers or deities or the more simply demonstrated 'law enforcement' people. They aren't the robbers, because bandits attack the average 'good' citizen. They the princes or the gods or upstanding nobles. Whether for good or for ill, they keep power where it is and strike down everyone else. And whether for good or for ill, the rogues tear down the status quo, often with limited success.
So whenever I talk about vampires or faeries or anything else, I'm going to start with the premise that they are real. Because even if one does not believe in them, they very much are real. Even if there were no historical precedent, the belief and/or love which people have for a thing causes change. People are influenced by it. And then anything which people were influenced by long ago continues to affect the world. There is no escape from the unreal.
In the fictional (and that means spiritual too), especially in horror and fantasy, everything represents something else. That is the creative bits of human brain making little puzzles to better explain the world. And because the unreal is also beyond language, every invisible thing is put away behind the veneer of fiction. So the old faerietales, the racist, sexist, homophobic, gentry-centric stories from wherever (but mostly Europe.) contain everything that is locked away in an attempt to make it stop existing.
We can't have a story about good versus evil without showing the evil, and if we think that some thing is truly evil, we only need to show it as it really is (Except if it swears. If it swears, then we can't write what it says. Or if it is naked, we must clothe it.). Because evil is evil is evil, so clearly a [insert minority here] can be represented by any evil thing. Most often by creatures that seem human but are the mythical predators to which humans are prey.
Likewise, the status quo, which is invisible, also takes its place in the form of faerietale fathers or deities or the more simply demonstrated 'law enforcement' people. They aren't the robbers, because bandits attack the average 'good' citizen. They the princes or the gods or upstanding nobles. Whether for good or for ill, they keep power where it is and strike down everyone else. And whether for good or for ill, the rogues tear down the status quo, often with limited success.
So whenever I talk about vampires or faeries or anything else, I'm going to start with the premise that they are real. Because even if one does not believe in them, they very much are real. Even if there were no historical precedent, the belief and/or love which people have for a thing causes change. People are influenced by it. And then anything which people were influenced by long ago continues to affect the world. There is no escape from the unreal.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Strip5: Picture day
Strip5: Picture day
Originally uploaded by FtMale
This is a comic I do. It is starting to become something.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Cis person, educate thyself!
This blog has a new purpose. I was trying to turn it into a wiki to use for giving talks, but now it's a space for talking about whatever I want to talk about.
I want to complain.
So I got myself in an argument on the internet. (Wow, that never happens.) An FtM brought up a problem which I find valid. Some cis people who barely know a trans person but hear that they have transitioned will say, "You're so brave." This is a problem because not every trans person feels their transition required bravery. Some people had it easy.
Another contingent (A smaller one) of the FtM community showed up in this case and said, "Oh, but every trans person is brave for transitioning!" and "Well, even if they didn't, we don't want the cis people to think that some people weren't brave." And let's not forget, "But they mean so well! And they want to learn! So we should teach them, and that way they can be beacons!" Yes, the word 'beacon' was used. No, you don't understand. Let me show you.
"i'm not saying that people shouldn't be their own beacons. but if you have the possibility to make another beacon, i think that is a good thing. how do you make a beacon out of someone who doesn't already realize how to shine?"
Understand now? This person wants you to be a beacon! We can't let the cis people wander off all ignorant like, because if we don't teach them, they'll never know. And then all our oppression is our own fault.
Allow me to be a beacon, then. Cis people, please come here. Come close. Let's have a little chat in my office.
Now that you're here, thank you for responding to the name that trans people have given you. That's pretty awesome. And if a blind person calls you sighted, please also respond accordingly. Because if everyone is going to be categorized, you've got to be categorized too.
Alright, then, on to business. I don't want to be rude. I like peace and harmony. I meditate, even. I hate confrontation and I much prefer good conversation. But not everyone does. I tend to not like to bother with talking to strangers. In all but one job I've had, I didn't like my coworkers at all. So i'm nice, but not always social. And I know that you all are a very nice lot. It is important to keep that in mind.
There are things that you don't know. And there are things you will probably not understand perfectly because you haven't experienced them. But you can learn to approximate, just like human beings do with anything intangible. So rest assured, if you listen to us talk and try to learn, you are going to learn exactly what you need to know. And what you don't learn won't matter. Just be truly open minded and believe us when we say something is important or wrong.
And if we are abrupt with you and don't want to talk, or we don't want to sit and educate you, deal with it. It isn't our fault that you don't know. We live in this society too, and have had to deal with everything that lead you to be ignorant. We learned all about ourselves and our people by the same way that you can learn - by looking for the words that trans people themselves write when discussing their community.
If you want to learn anything, listen to the experts talk among themselves. That goes for languages, crafts and anything else. Taking a class and having someone sit you down to explain may give you an overview, but you won't learn it. You'll forget stuff. You also won't know what an experience -truly- means unless you have more context. When someone complains about the fail they were subjected to by a cis person, they will go into detail about it. so instead of hearing, "This is fail, don't do it," you'll hear what the fail is, how it was encountered in real life, and most likely you'll hear why the trans person disliked it. And if there are comments, chances are you'll hear other trans people discuss aspects of the fail, or argue about it.
Welcome to internet world. Educate yourself.
I want to complain.
So I got myself in an argument on the internet. (Wow, that never happens.) An FtM brought up a problem which I find valid. Some cis people who barely know a trans person but hear that they have transitioned will say, "You're so brave." This is a problem because not every trans person feels their transition required bravery. Some people had it easy.
Another contingent (A smaller one) of the FtM community showed up in this case and said, "Oh, but every trans person is brave for transitioning!" and "Well, even if they didn't, we don't want the cis people to think that some people weren't brave." And let's not forget, "But they mean so well! And they want to learn! So we should teach them, and that way they can be beacons!" Yes, the word 'beacon' was used. No, you don't understand. Let me show you.
"i'm not saying that people shouldn't be their own beacons. but if you have the possibility to make another beacon, i think that is a good thing. how do you make a beacon out of someone who doesn't already realize how to shine?"
Understand now? This person wants you to be a beacon! We can't let the cis people wander off all ignorant like, because if we don't teach them, they'll never know. And then all our oppression is our own fault.
Allow me to be a beacon, then. Cis people, please come here. Come close. Let's have a little chat in my office.
Now that you're here, thank you for responding to the name that trans people have given you. That's pretty awesome. And if a blind person calls you sighted, please also respond accordingly. Because if everyone is going to be categorized, you've got to be categorized too.
Alright, then, on to business. I don't want to be rude. I like peace and harmony. I meditate, even. I hate confrontation and I much prefer good conversation. But not everyone does. I tend to not like to bother with talking to strangers. In all but one job I've had, I didn't like my coworkers at all. So i'm nice, but not always social. And I know that you all are a very nice lot. It is important to keep that in mind.
There are things that you don't know. And there are things you will probably not understand perfectly because you haven't experienced them. But you can learn to approximate, just like human beings do with anything intangible. So rest assured, if you listen to us talk and try to learn, you are going to learn exactly what you need to know. And what you don't learn won't matter. Just be truly open minded and believe us when we say something is important or wrong.
And if we are abrupt with you and don't want to talk, or we don't want to sit and educate you, deal with it. It isn't our fault that you don't know. We live in this society too, and have had to deal with everything that lead you to be ignorant. We learned all about ourselves and our people by the same way that you can learn - by looking for the words that trans people themselves write when discussing their community.
If you want to learn anything, listen to the experts talk among themselves. That goes for languages, crafts and anything else. Taking a class and having someone sit you down to explain may give you an overview, but you won't learn it. You'll forget stuff. You also won't know what an experience -truly- means unless you have more context. When someone complains about the fail they were subjected to by a cis person, they will go into detail about it. so instead of hearing, "This is fail, don't do it," you'll hear what the fail is, how it was encountered in real life, and most likely you'll hear why the trans person disliked it. And if there are comments, chances are you'll hear other trans people discuss aspects of the fail, or argue about it.
Welcome to internet world. Educate yourself.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Passing
Passing is the act of being 'read' correctly, or having others perceive you as the gender which you identify with. Cisgendered/Cissexual people usually do this automatically. Trans people have to work at it.
Some believe passing is deception.
Passing is dressing as you are, not how others think you should be.
Some can not pass.
MtFs who can not pass are the most in danger of harassment, to the point of being killed.
Nekoboi17's video on passing - http://www.youtube.com/user/nekoboi17#p/u/0/WZOM47pdL9o
Some believe passing is deception.
Passing is dressing as you are, not how others think you should be.
Some can not pass.
MtFs who can not pass are the most in danger of harassment, to the point of being killed.
Nekoboi17's video on passing - http://www.youtube.com/user/nekoboi17#p/u/0/WZOM47pdL9o
Media
Here are a few books, films and other media that have representations of trans people. Unless otherwise stated, the portrayals are thought to be accurate (In the case of MtFs, I apologize for any inaccurate assessment, and will alter the posting if you suggest.)
The list of films is small, not because I don't know of many trans-related films and books, but because I don't know of many that are not exploitation or just plain bad stereotype reinforcers.
Films
"Boys Don't Cry" - Film about Brandon Teena, FtM who was raped then murdered. This film is not a happy bit of work.
"The Crying Game" - Film about a member of the IRA (Irish organization involved in anti-British activity, and normally considered to be terrorist) trying to leave the organization. He falls in love with a transgendered woman, but does not realize that she is transgendered.
Video Blogs
FtM:
Nekoboi17 - http://www.youtube.com/user/nekoboi17#g/u
Deusabscondidum - http://www.youtube.com/user/deusabscondidum (This is my video blog. I update sometimes once a month, depending on whether my rechargable batteries are found.)
MtF:
Aire420 - http://www.youtube.com/user/aire420
Books
"Sacred Country" - Rose Tremaine
"Transgender Rights" - A collection of essays about trans people and their rights
"Queers in Court" - A somewhat mindnumbing book to read all the way through, this straightforward book details a great number of courses involving queers and queer rights. If you want to really understand the marriage debate and why it is important, read this.
Webcomics:
www.venusenvycomic.com
The list of films is small, not because I don't know of many trans-related films and books, but because I don't know of many that are not exploitation or just plain bad stereotype reinforcers.
Films
"Boys Don't Cry" - Film about Brandon Teena, FtM who was raped then murdered. This film is not a happy bit of work.
"The Crying Game" - Film about a member of the IRA (Irish organization involved in anti-British activity, and normally considered to be terrorist) trying to leave the organization. He falls in love with a transgendered woman, but does not realize that she is transgendered.
Video Blogs
FtM:
Nekoboi17 - http://www.youtube.com/user/nekoboi17#g/u
Deusabscondidum - http://www.youtube.com/user/deusabscondidum (This is my video blog. I update sometimes once a month, depending on whether my rechargable batteries are found.)
MtF:
Aire420 - http://www.youtube.com/user/aire420
Books
"Sacred Country" - Rose Tremaine
"Transgender Rights" - A collection of essays about trans people and their rights
"Queers in Court" - A somewhat mindnumbing book to read all the way through, this straightforward book details a great number of courses involving queers and queer rights. If you want to really understand the marriage debate and why it is important, read this.
Webcomics:
www.venusenvycomic.com
Glossary
Most important words:
Gender - The mental gender
Sex - The legal gender
Bottom Surgery - Surgery to make the genitals conform to the gender identity, if it is at odds with the sex assigned at birth.
Cisgender - Those whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth
Gate keepers/Gate keeping - The discriminatory practice of requiring trans individuals to jump through hoops in order to obtain things which cisgender individuals can have more easily. One example is someone
Gender Identity - Whatever gender a person identifies with.
Gender Fluid - Having no fixed gender, and being content that way.
Gender Marker - Designation of male or female on the driver's license
Harry Benjamin Standards (HBS) - Much maligned code of conduct for those in the helping professions when dealing with trans individuals. Though helpful at the time, most feel that the HBS have outlived their usefulness, and are now being used as a gatekeeping device.
Letter - The little slip of paper that says a person can get their hormones. Harry Benjamin Standards say a person must be in therapy for one year before getting this slip.
Top Surgery - Surgery to either deemphasize the chest or to enhance it, depending on which direction we are going.
Tranny - Transister radio, transformer, transmission. Big insult. Bad word. Very bad. DO NOT USE.
Trans - Short, non-commital word for anything related to trans people. Good choice for talking about gender identity in general.
Transgender - Originally, someone whose gender identity does not match the sex assigned them at birth, but who is comfortable with their body. Much like Gender fluid. Current generations use Transgender either synonymously with or in place of transsexual.
Transsexual - Originally, someone whose gender identity does not match the sex assigned them at birth, and who is uncomfortable with their body. Current generations dislike this term, and liken it to either transvestites or treat it as an insult. This may have to do with iconic lines from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Transvestite - Person who enjoys dressing as the sex opposite the one they were assigned at birth, but whose gender identity matches their original sexual designation. Can be of any sexual orientation.
Gender - The mental gender
Sex - The legal gender
Bottom Surgery - Surgery to make the genitals conform to the gender identity, if it is at odds with the sex assigned at birth.
Cisgender - Those whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth
Gate keepers/Gate keeping - The discriminatory practice of requiring trans individuals to jump through hoops in order to obtain things which cisgender individuals can have more easily. One example is someone
Gender Identity - Whatever gender a person identifies with.
Gender Fluid - Having no fixed gender, and being content that way.
Gender Marker - Designation of male or female on the driver's license
Harry Benjamin Standards (HBS) - Much maligned code of conduct for those in the helping professions when dealing with trans individuals. Though helpful at the time, most feel that the HBS have outlived their usefulness, and are now being used as a gatekeeping device.
Letter - The little slip of paper that says a person can get their hormones. Harry Benjamin Standards say a person must be in therapy for one year before getting this slip.
Top Surgery - Surgery to either deemphasize the chest or to enhance it, depending on which direction we are going.
Tranny - Transister radio, transformer, transmission. Big insult. Bad word. Very bad. DO NOT USE.
Trans - Short, non-commital word for anything related to trans people. Good choice for talking about gender identity in general.
Transgender - Originally, someone whose gender identity does not match the sex assigned them at birth, but who is comfortable with their body. Much like Gender fluid. Current generations use Transgender either synonymously with or in place of transsexual.
Transsexual - Originally, someone whose gender identity does not match the sex assigned them at birth, and who is uncomfortable with their body. Current generations dislike this term, and liken it to either transvestites or treat it as an insult. This may have to do with iconic lines from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Transvestite - Person who enjoys dressing as the sex opposite the one they were assigned at birth, but whose gender identity matches their original sexual designation. Can be of any sexual orientation.
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