Do you ever feel like your voice just... isn’t you? Like, you know it’s not where you want it to be, but you’re not even sure where to start—or where you’re trying to go? You’re not alone, and trust me, you don’t have to figure it all out today.

If you’re feeling stuck, maybe voice dysphoria is kicking your butt, or maybe you’ve just been hearing people talk about “target voices” and thinking to yourself, “I have no idea what I should be aiming for.”

In the video embedded below, I’ll walk you through three practical exercises that will help you check in with how you’re feeling, explore what you like, and start figuring out what your ideal voice might be. These exercises are fun, simple, and designed to meet you exactly where you are—whether you’ve been practicing for a while or you’re just getting started.

But here’s the real tea: exploration and experimentation are just as important—maybe even more important—than having a concrete end goal. So if you’re not totally sure about your goals yet, that’s okay. You’re still in the perfect place to start. Scroll down to keep reading, or watch the video on YouTube below:

Exercise 1: The Voice Audit

The Voice Audit is all about becoming aware of how you currently use your voice—and how it feels to you in different situations.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Make a list of all the ways you use your voice in daily life. Think about emotional states, personal contexts, and specific situations where your voice shifts. For example:
   • How does your voice sound when you’re talking to your boss?
   • What about when you’re hyping up your best friend?
   • How do you sound when whispering in a movie theater—or yelling to get someone’s attention?
2. Pick one sentence (like “Hi, how are you?”) and say it in all the different scenarios you listed.
   • How does it feel to say it in your “talking to boss” voice compared to your “talking to a friend” voice?
3. Write down your reactions. How does each version of your voice make you feel? Are there any situations where your voice feels more natural or comfortable in your body?
4. Notice what’s happening physically.
   • Are you holding tension in your shoulders or jaw?
   • Is your tongue in a particular position?
   • How’s your breathing?

Pro Tip: Record yourself! Listening back can reveal patterns you might not notice in the moment. Plus, it’s a great way to track your progress over time.

The goal of this exercise isn’t to “fix” your voice—it’s to build awareness of what feels good and what doesn’t. This is your starting point for figuring out what kind of voice you might want to aim for.

Exercise 2: Inspiration Lists

This exercise is all about dreaming big and figuring out whose voices inspire you.

Steps for building your Inspiration List:

1. Write down voices you love.

   These can be famous people, public figures, or even people in your personal life. Keep the list broad and open-minded for now.

2. Include voices that share your cultural accent or regional dialect.

   For example, if you’re from Northern Ireland, it can be helpful to include Northern Irish voices. Why? Because trying to copy a voice that’s completely outside of your natural accent or speech patterns might feel awkward or forced. We want your voice to feel authentic to you.

3. Dig deeper into what you like about these voices.

   Maybe you think you love a voice because of its pitch, but is it really the pitch—or is it the confidence the person exudes? Or the calming quality of their tone?

4. Pay attention to jealousy.

   If you feel a pang of envy when you hear someone’s voice, don’t beat yourself up over it! Jealousy is your gut telling you what you desire and what you’re drawn to. It’s valuable information.

Remember, this exercise is about finding inspiration—not copying someone else’s voice exactly.

Exercise 3: Imitate and Experiment

Now for the fun part: it’s time to play!

How to do it:

1. Pick voices from your Inspiration List or voices you encounter in daily life—on YouTube, in podcasts, or even on your favourite TV shows.
2. Imitate their tone, pitch, pacing, and energy. Experiment with these qualities and see what feels good to you.
3. Check in with yourself after each imitation.
   • How do you feel emotionally?
   • How does your body feel? Is your throat strained or comfortable?
   • Does this voice make you feel happy, confident, or playful?
4. Keep a record of what you enjoy and what doesn’t work for you.

The goal here isn’t to “nail” someone else’s voice—it’s to discover what you enjoy and pull bits and pieces into your own vocal style.

The Bigger Picture: Limits and Possibilities

Let’s get real for a second. A lot of people—especially trans women—feel constrained by their anatomy or limited by cisgender pitch standards. But here’s the truth:

• You don’t need to hit the same pitch or notes as your vocal inspirations to achieve the same feeling in your voice.
• Instead of focusing on matching someone else’s pitch, think about the overall vibe their voice gives you. Is it warm? Confident? Energetic? That’s what you want to aim for.

And let’s be honest: cisgender pitch standards don’t include even include all cis people! If Miley Cyrus and Ross Mathews don’t “fit the standard” but are clearly thriving, then you don’t need to limit yourself either.

Your voice is yours, and what matters most is how it feels to you and how it aligns with the way you want to express yourself.

Wrapping It Up: Exploration Is Progress

Remember: spending time exploring your voice is just as valuable as practicing with a specific goal in mind. Think of it like preparing for a big boss fight in a video game—you wouldn’t just jump in without a strategy, right?

If you do everything in this post and you’re still not 100% sure what your ideal voice sounds like, that’s okay! Your voice journey doesn’t need a perfectly clear destination—it just needs a first step.

Take the Next Step: Join My Free Webinar

Ready to take your voice journey to the next level? Join my free webinar, where I’ll guide you through everything from the foundational techniques of gender-affirming voice training to strategies for creating a voice that truly feels like you.

Whether you’re just starting out or already experimenting with your voice, this webinar is packed with actionable tips, encouragement, and personalized insights to help you grow. Plus, it’s completely free!

You’ve already taken an incredible step by exploring and experimenting—now let’s build on that momentum together. Sign up today, and I can’t wait to see you there!

— Renée 🦋