Welcome to the final instalment of my mini-series on the basics of gender-affirming voice. Over the past seven parts, we’ve covered a lot of ground—vocal anatomy, pitch, resonance, vocal weight, and more—but there are always questions left to answer. Today, I’ll be addressing six common questions I hear from those embarking on their voice training journey.

1. Will I Always Have to Think About My Voice, or Will It Feel Natural?

This is a super common concern! When you start voice training, it can feel like it takes up all your brainpower. You might find it hard to focus on other things, like listening to conversations or even thinking about what you want to say next. But don’t worry—this is only temporary.

Over time, your new voice will become a habit, just like your current one. Eventually, it will move to the back of your mind, and you’ll think about it less and less. You’ll be able to focus on other things, like being creative, solving problems, or simply enjoying a conversation.

If you’re struggling with this transition, I’ve created a free resource called the Practice Games for Endurance in Trans Voice Work. This can help ease the mental load of always thinking about your voice and move you toward that natural, habitual place more quickly.

2. How Much Time Will I Have to Dedicate to Practicing, and For How Long?

The short answer: it depends! The amount of practice time and how long it takes to see progress varies from person to person. If you’re someone who speaks frequently, like a public speaker, it might take longer to create new habits. On the other hand, if you don’t use your voice as often, you might see progress more quickly.

It’s more important to practice consistently rather than for long periods of time. For example, five minutes three times a day is better than one hour once a week, even if it feels like less total time. Developing the habit gradually is key.

In terms of how long it will take before you feel comfortable with your new voice, that can range from one to five years. You may grasp the basics in 1 to 3 months, but for the voice to become automatic and feel natural, it can take longer. However, remember that the time will pass anyway—why not spend it working toward a voice that brings you joy and comfort?

3. If I Do Voice Training, Will I Lose the Ability to Use My Old Voice? Can I Voice Train If I’m Not Out as Trans?

No, you won’t necessarily lose the ability to use your old voice. Many people, especially those who are not out in every aspect of their life, need to switch between their old voice and a new voice. This is a type of code-switching, something you probably already do in different situations. For example, you don’t talk to your boss the same way you talk to your dog, right?

You may have to practice switching between voices to make it feel more fluid, but it’s entirely possible. If you feel it’s important to maintain your old voice for specific situations, just make sure to practice both regularly.

Some people do find it harder to access their old voice after a long time using their target voice, but that’s usually because they stopped trying to access the old voice altogether. As long as you practice both, you can maintain the ability to use either voice when needed.

4. I Can’t Stand Listening to My Voice. Do I Have to Listen to Recordings to Voice Train?

I totally understand—many people find it difficult to listen to recordings of their voice. While listening to recordings can be helpful to assess your progress, it’s not 100% necessary.

To offer an alternative, I created the Trans Voice Emotions Evaluator, which helps you track how you feel about your voice each day. Instead of listening to recordings, you can reflect on your feelings toward your voice, and see if you’re becoming more comfortable or content over time. This can be a great way to measure progress without the anxiety that can come from listening to recordings.

Gender comfort or neutrality is just as valuable as gender euphoria, so don’t feel like you have to always be chasing the highs. The emotions evaluator can help you recognize progress, even when it’s subtle.

5. I’m Trying to Decide Between Voice Training and Surgery. What’s the Better Option?

This is a very personal decision. There are different types of voice feminizing and masculinizing surgeries available, and they can be a great option for some people. However, most surgeons will encourage you to try voice training first.

Voice training carries very little risk, while surgery does come with potential risks. Many people find that voice training alone makes them happy with their voice, and they don’t feel the need for surgery. But for others, surgery is the right path, and that’s perfectly valid too.

It’s also worth noting that even after surgery, many people still need voice training to learn how to use their instrument. Training before surgery can help you get to know your voice better, which will make post-surgery adjustments easier.

6. I Don’t Know What I Want to Sound Like, But I Know I’m Unhappy With My Voice. Can I Voice Train Without a Goal?

Absolutely! You don’t need to have a specific goal in mind to start voice training. In fact, voice training can be a wonderful exploratory process. It helps you understand the range and flexibility of your voice, and you may discover aspects of your voice that bring you comfort or even joy without realizing it.

If you’re unsure what your “goal voice” is, that’s okay. You can still dive into the practice and see what feels good as you go. Voice training is about finding what makes you feel most like yourself, even if that changes over time.

---

Thank you for following along in this mini-series on gender-affirming voice. If you missed any parts, you can check them all out here. And there are tons of other useful resources throughout this blog. I hope this helps!