TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Deepening Your Voice with "Darth Vader Breathing"
• Short, Sharp "T" Sounds
• Humming and Speech Cadence

Trans masculine vocal training refers to the process of developing a deeper, more masculine-sounding voice for transgender and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth. It involves techniques to control pitch, resonance, and speech patterns to align one's voice with their gender identity.

Vocal coach Anna Freya suggests the following vocal exercises to support achieving a more masculine sounding voice. Learn more about various aspects of vocal training, including techniques for pitch control, resonance, and speech patterns commonly associated with masculine voices at Masculinizing Vocal Training FAQ.

This exercise is valuable for deepening your voice by creating more space in your throat and mouth, allowing your pitch to naturally lower. By using the "Darth Vader Breathing" technique, you train your vocal muscles to produce a more resonant and masculine sound. It also helps in developing control over your volume and pitch, enabling you to comfortably speak in a lower range.

1. Find a quiet and comfortable space to practice. Stand or sit up straight with your shoulders relaxed.

2. Take a deep breath in through your nose, allowing your belly to expand fully. Imagine you are breathing in as if you were Darth Vader, making a deep, open, rounded "O" sound as you inhale.

3. Exhale slowly and steadily through your mouth while keeping your jaw open and your tongue touching your bottom teeth. The sound you produce should be a low and humming "M" sound.

4. Focus on achieving a moderately low pitch that feels comfortable for you. You should be able to produce some volume while maintaining control over your voice.

5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 for about 2 seconds per breath cycle. Aim to practice this exercise for at least 10 to 15 minutes, three to four times a day.

6. As you become more comfortable, gradually lower your pitch over several weeks to continue deepening your voice.

The "T" sound exercise is beneficial for developing stronger consonant articulation and creating separation between words and syllables. Practicing short, sharp "T" sounds helps you achieve a more masculine speech pattern, characterized by distinct and abrupt enunciation. It also enhances your ability to control your voice, making it more forceful and authoritative.

1. Start by taking a deep breath in through your nose, then exhale with a strong and sharp "T" sound as you say "te, te, te" in a whisper. Focus on keeping the "T" sounds short and distinct.

2. Repeat the "te, te, te" sounds three times in a row, making sure to create space between each repetition.

3. Transition to saying the "te, te, te" sounds out loud while maintaining your low pitch and keeping the "T" sounds strong and obnoxious.

4. Combine the "T" exercise with a short example word or phrase, such as "teddy bear." Say "teddy bear" after completing the "te, te, te" sounds to ensure consistency in your voice.

5. Practice this exercise regularly to strengthen your consonant sounds, create separation between words, and achieve a more masculine speech pattern.

This exercise focuses on developing a more monotone and controlled speech cadence, common in masculine speech. Humming at a single pitch and transitioning to speaking sentences slowly and deliberately helps you maintain a consistent pitch without fluctuations. By practicing this exercise, you can eliminate excessive pitch changes and achieve a more authoritative and assertive speaking style, typical of masculine voices.

1. Begin by humming a single pitch comfortably within your vocal range.

2. Transition from humming to saying a short sentence very slowly and deliberately, pronouncing each word distinctly. Example sentences you can use are: 

   1. "Multiverse theory states that there are infinite universes."

   2. “I went to the store today.”

   3. “I took my cat to look at this tree.”

   4. “Building codes can be really confusing.”

   5. “Studying for these midterms is a delicate process.”

   6. “The price of gasoline makes no sense.”

3. Ensure that the pitch remains consistent and does not fluctuate as you speak the sentence. The goal is to maintain a flat and monotone speech pattern.

4. Repeat the humming followed by the sentence three to five times, gradually speeding up your speech to a more conversational pace while maintaining the even pitch.

5. Practice this exercise with different sentences, focusing on keeping your speech cadence controlled and less melodic to achieve a more masculine speaking style.

Remember, consistency and regular practice are key to achieving your desired vocal transformation. Take your time, be patient with yourself, and celebrate each step of progress along the way!