Hey there, lovelies! It’s your friendly neighborhood gender-affirming voice coach, Renée, and today we’re diving deep into the vibrant world of nonbinary voice training. Picture this: voices as diverse and beautiful as the stars in the night sky, each one unique, each one telling its own story. That’s what we’re here for, and I’m thrilled to guide you through this exploration.

The Concept of Nonbinary Voice Training

Why "Nonbinary" Isn't Just a Buzzword in Voice Training

Nonbinary voice training. Sounds intriguing, right? It’s the art (and yes, I dare say, the science) of crafting a voice that doesn’t just fit into the traditional boxes of "male" or "female." It's for anyone who’s ever felt that the voice they were born with doesn’t quite echo the truth of who they are inside. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of a voice that truly reflects your identity, stick around!

The Four Pillars of Voice Training

Pitch, Resonance, Weight, and Sentence Contour: The Building Blocks of Your Voice

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, shall we? When we talk about voice training, we’re looking at four key players: Pitch, Resonance, Weight, and Sentence Contour. Think of these as the ingredients in your favorite recipe, each adding its own flavor to the dish.

• Pitch: How high or low your voice sounds. It’s the melody of your spoken words.
• Resonance: The colour of your voice. Think of it as the timbre of your instrument.
• Weight: The perceived "heaviness" or "lightness" of your voice, giving it a buzzy or airy quality.
• Sentence Contour: The musical pattern of your speech, the rise and fall of your voice that gives emphasis and meaning to your sentences.

Beyond the Binary: Mixing and Matching

Crafting a Voice as Unique as You

Traditionally, voices have been categorized as "feminine" or "masculine," but we’re not about that binary life here. We’re about mixing, matching, and maybe even creating something entirely new.

• Feminine voices? Often higher pitch, brighter resonance, lighter weight, and a melody that dances up and down.
• Masculine voices? Typically lower pitch, darker resonance, heavier weight, and a more monotone melody.

(Caveat! I'm speaking in wild generalities here and really only about North American Enlish!)

But here’s the kicker: what if your voice could be anything you want it to be? Imagine a voice with the pitch of a soprano but the resonance of a bass guitar. That’s the magic we’re after.

Designing Your Unique Sound

Where Your Voice Meets Your Imagination

Picture a mixing board in your mind (or just look at the picture below!) Each slider represents a characteristic: pitch, resonance, weight, sentence contour. Now, play around with it. Slide the pitch up high but keep the resonance deep and rich. What does that sound like? That’s the kind of experimentation we’re talking about.

Interactive Engagement: Your Voice, Your Design

Join the Choir of Unique Voices

I’m curious about your dream voice combinations. Would you blend the weight of a whisper with the contour of an opera singer? There’s no right or wrong here, only the boundless landscape of your imagination. Drop your thoughts in my comments, share your voice recipes, and let’s inspire each other.

Announcing "Mix & Match: Designing Your Nonbinary Voice" Course

Embark on a Journey to Discover Your Voice

Exciting news! My course, "Mix & Match: Designing Your Nonbinary Voice," is launching soon. It’s your backstage pass to unlocking the voice you’ve always dreamed of. We’ll dive deeper into the pillars of voice training, with hands-on exercises and real-life examples. Want in? Sign up for my newsletter to get all the deets and be the first to know when we launch.

Stay loud, stay proud, and remember, I’m always here cheering you on. Here’s to finding the voice that makes your heart sing!

Your coach and biggest fan,

Renée ✨