Stop Straining Your Voice: Use Mixed Voice for Effortless Voice Feminization
Jul 24, 2023
If you're tired of feeling strained, pinched, or uncomfortable when you raise the pitch of your voice, I have good news: there's a technique that can help.
Hi, I'm Renée, a gender-affirming voice teacher with nearly two decades of voice teaching experience, specializing in transgender voice training since 2019. Today, we're talking about mixed voice—a powerful technique that can transform how you approach voice feminization.
If you're working on raising your pitch as part of fem voice training, you may have experienced a strange, uncomfortable sensation when you reach the top of your speaking range. This happens right before your voice would naturally flip into a higher, lighter register.
Some singing teachers call this sensation "pulled chest voice." You're essentially pulling your comfortable speaking voice up into a pitch range where it doesn't want to go.
The result? Strain, tension, and a voice that feels exhausting to maintain.
But what if there was a more comfortable approach?
That's exactly what mixed voice offers. By learning to blend qualities of your chest voice (speaking voice) and head voice (higher voice), you can access those higher pitches during voice feminization training without the strain.
In this post, I'll walk you through what mixed voice is, why it matters for transgender female voice training, and give you a practical exercise you can start using today to develop this technique.
Let's dive in.
Table of Contents
- Watch the Full Video
- What Is Mixed Voice and Why Does It Matter for Trans Voice Training?
- The Strain Problem: Why Raising Pitch Feels Uncomfortable
- Understanding Voice Registers in Voice Feminization
- Step-by-Step Mixed Voice Exercise for Voice Feminization
- How to Practice Mixed Voice Daily
- Key Takeaways
- Next Steps in Your Voice Feminization Journey
Watch the Full Video
Prefer to read? Keep scrolling for a complete breakdown of mixed voice technique and how to use it in your transgender voice training.
What Is Mixed Voice and Why Does It Matter for Trans Voice Training?
If you're working on voice feminization training, you've probably noticed something frustrating: when you try to raise your pitch, there's a specific range where your voice feels strained, pinched, or just plain uncomfortable.
This usually happens right at the top of your comfortable speaking range, just before your voice would naturally flip into a lighter, higher register.
That's where mixed voice technique comes in.
Mixed voice is exactly what it sounds like, a blend of two different vocal qualities:
- Chest voice (your comfortable speaking voice)
- Head voice (your lighter, higher voice)
By learning to blend these registers smoothly, you can access higher pitches during trans voice training without the strain or discomfort that comes from forcing your speaking voice too high.
Want to learn more about vocal registers like head voice and chest voice? Check out this related post.
What Are Vocal Registers? Chest Voice vs Head Voice in Trans Voice Training
Why This Matters for Transgender Voice Training
Many people approaching voice feminization focus heavily on pitch—and that makes sense. Research on gender-affirming voice therapy confirms that pitch is one perceptual marker listeners use to categorize voices as feminine or masculine.
But here's the thing: sustainable voice feminization isn't just about hitting higher notes. It's about finding a way to access those notes that feels comfortable and natural in your body.
Mixed voice technique gives you that sustainable path forward.
The Strain Problem: Why Raising Pitch Feels Uncomfortable
Let's talk about what's actually happening when you feel that pinched, strained sensation during fem voice training.
The "Pulled Chest Voice" Phenomenon
Singing teachers have a term for this uncomfortable feeling: pulled chest voice.
This happens when you take the muscular coordination you use for your comfortable speaking voice and try to force it up into a pitch range where it doesn't naturally want to go.
Think of it like this: your speaking voice has a comfortable range. When you push beyond that range without changing your vocal coordination, you're essentially pulling your chest voice into territory where your head voice should take over.
The result? That pinched, strained feeling that makes voice feminization training feel exhausting and unsustainable.
Why This Is Common in MTF Voice Training
If you've experienced a testosterone puberty, your comfortable speaking range likely sits lower than where you want it for voice feminization.
This means you're constantly working in that transition zone between chest and head voice which is the exact place where a pulled chest voice happens most often.
Without specific training in how to navigate this transition smoothly, it's easy to default to pulling and straining rather than blending.
Understanding Voice Registers in Voice Feminization
Before we dive into the exercise, let's clarify what we mean by different voice registers.
Chest Voice
Your chest voice is your speaking voice—the voice you use in everyday conversation.
It's called "chest voice" because when you place your hand on your chest while speaking in this register, you can often feel vibrations there.
For most people doing transgender female voice training, chest voice sits in a lower pitch range than their target feminine voice.
Head Voice
Your head voice is lighter and higher than your chest voice.
When you access head voice, you might feel vibrations more in your head or face rather than your chest.
This is the register many people flip into accidentally when they're trying to reach higher pitches during voice feminization training often resulting in a breathy, disconnected sound.
Mixed Voice: The Bridge Between
Mixed voice sits right in the middle, blending qualities of both registers.
It allows you to access higher pitches while maintaining the connection and stability of your chest voice, without the strain of pulling chest voice too high.
For feminine voice training, learning to use mixed voice means you can speak at higher pitches comfortably and sustainably.
Step-by-Step Mixed Voice Exercise for Voice Feminization
Now for the practical part: the exercise that will help you start developing mixed voice for your trans voice training.
This exercise uses the NG sound (like the end of the word "sing") as an entry point because it naturally encourages the vocal coordination we want.
Why the NG Sound Works
The NG sound is what we call a nasal consonant. The airflow goes through your nose rather than your mouth.
When you make this sound correctly, your tongue blocks the back of your throat, and you can test this by pinching your nose. If the sound stops completely when you pinch your nose, you're doing it right.
This sound naturally puts your voice into a coordination that makes it easier to access mixed voice, which is why it's perfect for voice feminization training.
The Exercise: Part 1 - Finding Your NG Sound
Step 1: Make an NG sound, like the end of "sing."
Hold it steady on a single pitch (any comfortable pitch is fine to start.)
Step 2: While making the sound, pinch your nose closed.
The sound should stop completely. If it doesn't, adjust your tongue position until it does.
Step 3: Release your nose and continue the NG sound.
Get comfortable with this sensation. This is your starting point.
The Exercise: Part 2 - Sliding on NG
Now we're going to use pitch slides (also called sirens or glides) on the NG sound.
Don't worry about matching pitches perfectly, just do your best to follow along with general upward and downward movement.
Step 1: Start on a comfortable pitch with your NG sound.
Step 2: Slide smoothly up in pitch, then back down.
Think of it like a siren: NG~~~~~~ (going up) ~~~~~~NG (coming down)
Step 3: Repeat this several times, exploring different starting pitches.
The goal here is to let your voice blend smoothly between registers as you move up and down in pitch. You should feel less strain than when you try to speak at these pitches.
The Exercise: Part 3 - Adding Open Vowels
This is where we bridge from the NG exercise into something more practical for transgender voice training.
Step 1: Start with your NG sound on a comfortable low pitch.
Step 2: Slide up in pitch on the NG sound.
Step 3: At the top of your slide, open to an "AH" vowel.
The pattern sounds like: NG~~~~~~AH
Step 4: Repeat this pattern, starting a little higher each time.
You're gradually training your voice to access higher pitches with the same blended coordination you found on the NG sound.
What Should This Feel Like?
When you're doing this exercise correctly for voice feminization:
- Less strain than your usual approach to higher pitches
- A smoother transition as you move up in pitch
- Some vocal cracks or creaks (totally normal and fine!)
- A sensation that's different from your speaking voice but not uncomfortable
Remember: your voice might crack, creak, or sound imperfect during this exercise. That's completely okay and expected when you're learning new vocal coordination for trans voice training.
How to Practice Mixed Voice Daily
Like any aspect of feminine voice training, consistency matters more than perfection.
Create a Daily Practice Routine
Set aside 5-10 minutes each day for this mixed voice exercise.
You can do this:
- During your morning routine
- On your commute (if you drive alone)
- As a warm-up before speaking in your feminine voice
- As part of a longer voice feminization training session
Track Your Progress
Notice how the exercise feels over time:
- Does it feel easier after a week?
- Can you access higher pitches with less strain?
- Are you able to carry this coordination into your speaking voice?
If you need some help tracking your progress, check out my Practice Log Templates in my freebies library!
Free Practice Log Templates
Be Patient With Your Voice
Learning mixed voice for transgender voice training is a skill that develops gradually.
Some days will feel easier than others. Some days your voice will crack more. This is all part of the process of building new vocal coordination.
The key is to keep practicing consistently without forcing or straining.
Combine With Other Voice Feminization Techniques
Mixed voice is just one piece of the voice feminization puzzle.
For comprehensive trans voice training, you'll also want to work on:
- Resonance (brightening your tone)
- Vocal weight (lightening your sound)
- Intonation patterns (speech melody)
- Articulation (how you shape sounds)
If you want to learn more about these other elements, check out my voice feminization playlist on YouTube or explore Mindful Voice Feminization, my comprehensive MTF voice training online course.
Mindful Voice Feminization
Key Takeaways
1. Strain Isn't Necessary
If you're feeling pinched or strained when raising your pitch during voice feminization training, you don't have to push through that discomfort.
Mixed voice technique offers a more sustainable path to higher pitches.
2. Pulled Chest Voice Is Common
Many people doing trans voice training accidentally pull their chest voice too high, creating strain and discomfort.
This is a coordination issue, not a failing on your part.
3. The NG Sound Is Your Friend
Using nasal consonants like NG helps you access the blended vocal coordination of mixed voice.
This sound naturally encourages your voice to transition smoothly between registers.
4. Practice Creates Progress
Like any skill in transgender female voice training, mixed voice develops through consistent practice.
Even 5-10 minutes daily can make a significant difference over time.
5. Cracks and Creaks Are Normal
Your voice will sound imperfect while learning this technique—and that's completely fine.
Imperfection is part of the learning process in fem voice training.
Next Steps in Your Voice Feminization Journey
Mixed voice technique is a powerful tool for comfortable, sustainable voice feminization training, but it's just one piece of the larger puzzle.
Free Resources
Looking for more transgender voice training resources? Check out my freebies library, where you'll find:
- The mixing board tool for analyzing voices
- Additional voice feminization exercises
- Guides for various aspects of trans voice training
Comprehensive Training
If you're ready to dive deeper into voice feminization, my course Mindful Voice Feminization covers everything you need to create a feminine voice that feels like home:
- Pitch and resonance training
- Vocal weight modification
- Speech patterns and intonation
- Practical exercises for daily practice
- Troubleshooting common challenges
This transfeminine voice training online course gives you a clear, step-by-step path to finding your authentic voice.
Join the Free Masterclass
Want to learn the foundations of trans voice training before committing to a full course?
Sign up for my free one-hour masterclass, Change The Gender of Your Voice: No Hormones or Surgeries Required.
You'll learn:
- The key characteristics that make a voice sound feminine
- Common myths about voice feminization training
- Practical exercises you can start using immediately
- A clear roadmap for your transgender female voice training journey
Conclusion: Your Path to Comfortable Voice Feminization
Strain and discomfort don't have to be part of your trans voice training experience.
By learning mixed voice technique, you're giving yourself a sustainable, comfortable approach to accessing higher pitches during voice feminization.
Remember: practice this exercise daily, be patient with your progress, and know that vocal cracks and imperfections are a normal part of learning new coordination.
Your feminine voice is already inside you—you're just learning new ways to let it out.
Ready to transform your voice?
Save this mixed voice exercise and practice it daily as part of your transgender voice training routine. For more voice feminization resources, explore my YouTube playlist or join my free masterclass, Change The Gender of Your Voice.
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