I got a question on TikTok the other day, asking, "What are some exercises I can do throughout the day every day to feminize my voice as part of my trans voice training?"

Of course, the answer to this question varies from person to person, as each person's definition of a "feminine voice" is unique to them. And every trans voice journey is different, especially when it comes to feminine voice training.

However, in my experience, most people seeking to feminize their voice aren't sure what makes a voice "feminine." 

To make a voice sound feminine we are looking to change three things:

1. Brighten your resonance (the brightness or darkness of your voice)
2. Raise your average pitch (if your voice sounds low or high)
3. Lighten your vocal fold mass (the deepness of your voice)

With these goals in mind, let's look at one easy exercise that you can do every day for each characteristic.

(Or, if you're ready to go in-depth, you can check out my online course to change the gender of your voice, Mindful Voice Feminization)

1. Brighten Resonance (feminine vocal resonance exercise)

To brighten your voice's resonance (the brightness or darkness of your voice) and create a more feminine vocal tone, you need to gain control over the size and shape of your vocal tract. The most effective way to do this is to master control of the height of your larynx. The higher the larynx, the smaller your vocal tract, and the brighter your resonance. I know all these new words may sound confusing, but I'll make it simple.

A simple exercise to brighten your voice resonance:

To gain fine motor control over the larynx, my favourite exercise is the whisper scream. You're going to aspirate on an "eh" vowel, as in edge. Your vocal folds should be partially open, allowing the air to pass through with some resistance but not vibrating to create pitch. If you put your hand on your neck and make this sound, you should not feel any vibration.

Once you've mastered that sound, you can practice darkening and brightening it. Start with a yawn shape to create a dark sound, then move your larynx up to make the sound brighter and glassier. 

Don't overthink it; just try to copy the sound I am making in the video above!

(This exercise is from Zheana Erose, who is another great resource for MTF voice training online!)

2. Raise the Average Pitch (feminization training for pitch control)

To work on raising your average speaking pitch during MTF voice training, the exercise I recommend is to memorize a new starting pitch. (Pitch is if your voice sounds low or high, and we all start speaking at a pitch that we've naturally used throughout our life.)

Everyone will be comfortable with a different pitch, so it might take a little experimenting to find the right pitch for you. If you're a singer like me and know notes, most of the voice feminization students I've worked with have fallen somewhere between E3 and A3, but a little higher or lower is normal also.

A simple exercise to raise your average pitch:

For this exercise, start by ah-ing or humming a note, but don't try and make this the highest note you can comfortably do. You want this starting pitch to be the new middle-low end of your range so that you still have some headroom to make your voice higher without straining. You can figure out your comfortable pitch by using a pitch tracker like the Vocal Pitch Monitor.

Once you've chosen your pitch, you're simply going to play it for yourself regularly and repeat it as often as you can until you can accurately guess it without hearing it. This daily voice feminization exercise will help you internalize your new pitch range. (And trust me, if you have viral TikTok songs rolling through your head all day in their original keys, you can do this.) 

3. Lighten Vocal Fold Mass (feminization training for vocal weight)

Lightening your vocal fold mass (raising the deepness of your voice) is all about creating sound efficiently. In other words, we want to use the least amount of effort that we can while still creating a full and healthy sound. The best way to work on this is straw phonation.

Phonation is making speech sound and straw phonation is when you make those sounds through a straw (think of like a kazoo) It's a favourite exercise among singers, actors, and other voice professionals because of how powerful it is at creating efficient phonation.

A simple exercise to lighten vocal fold mass:

All you have to do for this exercise is hum through a straw. You can make any sound you want, but humming on a single note or moving through your range is sufficient for transgender vocal training.

The secret to this exercise is to find the right amount of back pressure. If there isn't enough pressure (like singing through a kazoo), you won't get the desired lightness in your speaking voice. If there is too much pressure, you won't be able to do the exercise at all.

Companies like Singing Straw sell sets of three straws with different diameters, which are great tools for voice feminization therapy. But you can increase the pressure with a normal straw by putting it in water.

Conclusion: Your Daily Feminization Training Routine

Voice feminization doesn’t have to be complicated, consistency and gentle awareness are key. By practicing these three simple trans voice training exercises every day, you can start to build a voice that truly feels like you.

Here’s your daily voice feminization checklist:

• 💡 Brighten your resonance: Practice the whisper scream to control your larynx height and create a lighter, more feminine vocal tone.

• 🎵 Raise your pitch: Memorize a comfortable new starting pitch and use a pitch tracker app to help you stay on target.

• 🪄 Lighten your vocal fold mass: Use straw phonation for more efficient sound production and smoother transitions between pitches.

Remember: small, mindful adjustments done every day are what create lasting change. Whether you’re just starting your MTF voice training journey or refining your practice of transgender vocal training, these exercises are simple powerful things you can start with every day!

Learning trans vocal training doesn't have to be overwhelming! If you want more information to help you on your voice journey, check out my free 60-minute webinar, Change the Gender of Your Voice (No Hormones of Surgeries Required!)