Voice coaching at DLV 2017? Feedback requested ...

[annie]

One recurring item in feedback over the years has been along the line of requests to bring in a subject matter expert on the topic of voice feminization during DLV.

We would like to know if this is something worth pursuing, meaning is there enough interest to make something like this happen.

Would you, as a DLV attendee or potential DLV attendee be interested in this? If so, please say so in response to this message.

No plans have been made yet, but two possible SMEs have been identified.

Although this is very early, one approach we're envisioning is something along the line of one public group session, kinda like we've done with other vendors over the years, and then optional individual paid sessions with the SME.

For us to pursue this, we need to be very sure that this is something that would be in demand.

Comments, please.

Thanks.

[Robyn]

Annie
If the group was large enough where we can reduce the cost per head significantly and when it is scheduled during the week I would consider class.
robyn

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Elaine Arnold
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I would be delighted with any voice sessions

Elaine


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(This posting was entered by Elaine Arnold, an external user of MyDLV.)

[Michelle V]

Interested, but doubtful I'll make it this year due to expenses.

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Steph Volkey
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The one thing I would like to express my opinion on for what it is worth
is based on a conversation I had with the Country's leading authority on
Voice Training, Dr Richard Adler, who has since left retired and left
for Seattle. He said one of his concerns with quick fix and short term
voice training is that often if not done correctly, attempting to alter
ones voice patterns can result in irreparable damage to the vocal cords.
I met with Dr Adler during his time at Moorhead State University. We
spoke about this and his book, "Voice and Communication Guide for the
Transgender/Transexual Client" A seminar that does anything other than
encourage people to seek professional coaching would be a mistake in my
opinion for what its worth. It takes years to retrain a voice, not an
hour or two.



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(This posting was entered by Steph Volkey, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Shannon
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I am definitely interested but can you give me some more information.

There are a lot of videos out there on youtube and I've watched them
and tried what they say but nothing works on me. The best I ever get
is to Minnie Mouse and no better. These gals all sound good and look
good too and they talk a lot about themself but they don't give any
details of exactly how you go about rasing your pitch so it sounds
natural.

I hope you're not thinkiing of just bringing in one of these who is
going to talk about herself and not work with us to help us do it.

Also, I can't help but wonder how many of those videos have been run
through audio reprocessing to make the voices sound more natural.

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(This posting was entered by Shannon, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Sue Robbins
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This is true Steph, although I might sit more in the months instead of
years for training. Depends how far you want to go. So this session
would have to be about voice training and the concepts and not be a
session 1 of an overall training program. There are a lot of
misconceptions about the components of voice and how to train and this
should attack those areas instead of doing an actual training session.

Sue


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(This posting was entered by Sue Robbins, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Sue Robbins
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That is a problem in itself. Raising pitch has less importance that
other voice qualities, yet that is where we tend to focus. I don't have
that high a voice and I am fairly hoarse, but I still never have voice
be an issue and neither did Bea Arthur (Maude). I feel the best thing
someone can do is talk about what voice therapy means, what all the
qualities are and maybe demonstrate what each means, and maybe some Q&A.
The first thing anyone should do before starting any training is
understand all these underlying things.

Sue


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(This posting was entered by Sue Robbins, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: kumiko yvonne watanabe
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I agree with Sue. Everyone has a different voice, accents, and pitch,
and will need individual attention to each voice.

Other than general and some specific information, what can be done in
one session or in one or a few hours other than a very general
introduction? Will this one session help or create problems? I would
think several over a week, but time to practice is also needed to
improve.

The question is I'm not sure how much can be done in a single session,
or for that matter less than a week to make it worthwhile.

Its like singing lessons, and it has to be geared to the individual and
individual assessment and coaching, over a period of time, as in weeks
or months or year, and not easily done in a group setting with other
voices at the same time. It takes time to get the correct female voice
level, then practice at that voice level, train and strengthen a voice,
and then change back and retrain a voice from a female back to make
while at the same time, not strain anyone's vocal cords. Also as a CD,
one has to switch back and forth quickly.

One aspect is pitch, and as Sue states there are other qualities that
needs to be addressed, many other factors in talking, such as, how the
words flows in a conversation, or how a female talks differs from a male
talks, and what words females use, and other words that males use more
often. What enunciation of specific words in a sentence does a female
use and a male doesn't?

As a example, watch a stand-alone comic named Fluffy. He does a awesome
female voice as if its natural in his comedy routine. Its like two
different people. Listen how dramatic his voice changes and his
enunciation and choice of words. We have to do similar.


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(This posting was entered by kumiko yvonne watanabe, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

Just a few clarifications here.

First of all, this was just a trial balloon sent up to gauge interest. No plans have been made and no presenters have committed. We don't have even enough preliminary information to give any details at this time.

If we do this, we want to use one or more true subject matter experts and not the "youtube girls" whose videos are a dime a dozen. The original person proposed a few years ago and our recent local lead are both clinically-trained speech pathologists.

We also know that an introductory session is not going to give Tom Brokaw the voice of Hailie Jackson! That was not our intention.

Keep those comments coming, please. Let's hear more about what you would like to see here.

Thanks.