Singing

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