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Speak Like a Robot to Isolate Resonance 🤖

nonbinary voice pitch resonance voice feminization voice masculinization Nov 10, 2023
Resonance vs Pitch and an easy exercise to isolate resonance!

If you're working on trans voice training, you've likely encountered the intriguing yet often tangled concepts of pitch and resonance. Understanding these two elements can be a bit tricky, so let's look into these concepts with some relatable examples. Check out the video above for examples of everything described below.

Pitch, in essence, refers to the relative highness or lowness of a note. It's like hitting the keys on a piano—imagine taking a fundamental note, and being able to make it either higher or lower. I give examples of this in the video above.

On the other hand, resonance deals with the brightness or darkness of that fundamental note. For instance, take that same note, "ah," and focus on making it brighter ("eh") or darker ("oh"). So, pitch is altering the highness or lowness of a note ("ah"), whereas resonance deals with the brightness or darkness of that note ("eh" to "oh").

When it comes to modifying the perceived gender of one's voice, most individuals are inclined towards working on resonance. Yet, distinguishing between pitch and resonance isn't always straightforward. The brain can sometimes interpret brightness and darkness as highness and lowness, blurring the lines between the two. This merging can complicate the process of honing in on the desired characteristics for a specific gender presentation.

To help differentiate between pitch and resonance, I've found a helpful exercise: talking like a robot. By isolating pitch, you can focus on modifying the brightness or darkness of your voice without altering its pitch. Imagine maintaining one pitch and deliberately trying to make it either darker or brighter, all while speaking in a monotonous, robot-like manner. This exercise helps isolate resonance while keeping the pitch stable, allowing you to work on one characteristic at a time.

This exercise might seem a bit peculiar at first, but the results can be quite illuminating. It's a method that allows you to fine-tune and distinguish between pitch and resonance, making it easier to work on the specific elements of your voice that are crucial for your gender presentation.

If you've found this approach helpful, there's a wealth of additional information available in my courses. My courses delve into various techniques, exercises, and insights to aid in voice modification and gender presentation.

Exploring and modifying one's voice to match one's gender presentation is a deeply personal and transformative journey. It involves patience, practice, and understanding the intricate nuances of how pitch and resonance contribute to the perceived gender of one's voice.

The beauty of these techniques lies in their flexibility. They offer individuals the opportunity to gradually sculpt their voices, aligning them with their inner selves while embracing the unique characteristics that make each voice distinctive.

It's crucial to acknowledge that this journey is individual, and the pace at which one progresses is unique to each person. Embracing one's voice, refining it to better resonate with personal identity, is a journey that deserves support, understanding, and encouragement.

So, to anyone navigating this journey, remember that it's okay to take your time, to experiment, and to seek guidance from resources like my courses or professionals specializing in voice modification. Each step taken is a stride towards a voice that gives you gender euphoria.

By understanding the intricacies of pitch and resonance, one can gradually shape and craft a voice that mirrors the unique identity within, ultimately expressing it to the world with confidence. The journey of self-discovery through voice modification is an empowering and transformative experience, one that celebrates individuality and personal truth. So get out there, experiment, and have fun!

Hi, I'm Renée! (they/them)

I'm a queer, nonbinary, and disabled singer, songwriter and gender-affirming voice teacher. 

I've been a voice teacher for over twelve years, I have four full-length albums out, and I have degrees in physics, jazz, and songwriting.

I love creating, I love figuring things out, but most of all, I love helping people.

Learn more about me

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