There are many aspects to voice and sometimes changing just one of these can help you feel your voice is more in line with who you are. Voice is often associated with gender but both are a continuum. You do not have to sound a specific way to be a set gender.
This resource provides information on how to move towards a voice often associated with masculine and feminine presentations but this resource is also for you if you do not wish to align with a specific gender.
We have organised the resource to let you explore your voice as it is, then try out some changes to see what you like. As you explore this resource, you may find it helpful to note the areas you are particularly interested in so that you can easily navigate to these again. We would advise that you take the time to read the sections how your voice works, exploring what your voice can do first, and then start by practising the activity on tuning-in to your breathing.
This resource offers you the opportunity to explore your voice in your own time, in your own environment. Making changes to find your authentic voice takes time, so please allow yourself the time and space to see if these resources help you make the changes you are looking for.
If, after working through these activities, you would like more support with making changes to your voice, please see the section looking for more support for information on how to request further assistance.
Making a change
Getting to know your voice, understanding what it can do and exploring how you can make changes so you feel your voice better matches your identity takes significant commitment and time.
For these resources to work for you, the following things are essential:
- Time to practice daily
- A safe space to practice
- Opportunities to practice in conversation with another person
- Ability to listen to your own voice to make judgements about which aspects you like and which you want to change. We sometimes recommend recording your voice on your smartphone and listening back.
About our service
Our service provides targeted resources and, where appropriate, individualised input to support you to make changes to your voice so that it better matches your identity; sometimes described as ‘finding your authentic voice’.
Accessing our service resources will help you to understand how voice is produced and how you can shape it to find your authentic voice, one that you feel represents you.
We provide information, advice and strategies consistent with established and developed core skills and competence levels of Speech and Language Therapists working with voice, including:
- Information on how your voice works
- Advice on how to care for your voice
- Strategies to help you to explore what your voice can do safely and comfortably
- Suggestions to support you to shape your authentic voice: this is focused on information and guidance on how to lighten / brighten / soften your voice (some may describe these features as more feminine) or how to deepen / darken your voice (some may describe these feature as more masculine)
- Information on where and how you can find more support
In addition, our therapists have the knowledge, skills and experience consistent with Level A of the RCSLT Trans and Gender Diverse Voice and Communication Competency Framework, as appropriate to a generalist practitioner.
Please be aware that it is outwith the scope of our service to provide more specialist provision beyond Level A of the RCSLT Competency Framework.
We hope that by accessing our supported self management resources you are able to make the changes that you want with your voice. However, if, after working through these activities, you are looking for more information and support, please take a look at our Further resources section which signposts you to additional resources and organisations.
If you live in Fife and feel that you need further direct support with the areas outlined above, you can contact our service for a conversation to explore what further help you may need.
How your voice works
This section provides you with a simple overview of voice production. It is important to have an understanding of how your voice works before attempting any voice change. This is because you need to know how your voice is working currently so you can make healthy and safe changes to aspects of it.
To find out how your voice works, please click here.
Exploring what your voice can do
This section provides you with activities to help you to explore different aspects of your voice. These activities are designed to help you get to know your voice and learn what it can safely do, before you start to make any changes to your voice.
This section provides activities which cover the following areas:
- Tuning-in to your breathing
- Tuning-in to what your vocal cords
- Tuning-in to your pitch
- Tuning-in to your resonance
- Tuning-in to your intonation
- Tuning-in to your articulation
To explore how your voice works, please click here.
Activities to shape your authentic voice
These activities explain how you can shape your voice by altering your pitch, resonance, intonation and articulation in ways often associated with being more feminine or masculine, but please remember it is your voice and you should choose what your feel works for you.
You may not be looking to align with a particular gender and this resource has been written in a way that helps you explore your voice and what you like about it. Gender is a continuum, as are the vocal changes you can make.
To explore our activities, please click here.
Looking for more support?
Find more information, resources and links to other organisations that can offer support on our Further voice support page.
If you live in Fife and feel that you need further support with the areas contained in this resource, you can contact our service for a conversation to explore what further help you may need on 01592 226784, or email us on Fife.SLTReferral@nhs.scot
Authentic voice feedback form
We are always pleased to hear how you found our information. Please leave us feedback using the form below.
