What does ChatGPT know about Vocal Feminization?

Okay, AI is the wave of the future (for better or worse - I don’t know), and I’m a little late to the party. ChatGPT has been out for a year, and I’ve just gotten around to testing it out myself. 

I wondered what ChatGPT knew about vocal feminization and whether it might put me out of a job…

I asked it, “How can I feminize my voice?”.

Check out whether ChatGPT's answers were true or false below! 

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TRUE

Yes, cis-women and folks assigned female at birth tend to have higher pitched voices than AMAB folks. This is because testosterone causes the vocal folds to lengthen and thicken, resulting in a lower pitched voice. 

It’s true that speaking at a higher pitch is useful in vocal feminization. But it’s important not to move your pitch up too high, too quickly. This can cause fatigue and vocal injury. 

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PARTLY TRUE

Forward resonance is definitely characteristic of feminine perceived voices. It is often the first thing I work on with clients. So it’s spot on with this one. 

However, ChatGPT says, “Try to speak from your chest rather than your throat”. This isn’t correct. Forward resonance is often described as felt more in your head, rather than chest or throat feelings. 

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TRUE

Feminine perceived voices typically show emphasis and emotion by using lots of movement in their pitch. Masculine perceived voices typically show emphasis by increasing volume. Their intonation is often more monotone. 

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TRUE

Speech rate can be dependent on where you’re from. Assessing how quickly you speak could be part of your vocal feminization process. 

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TRUE

Articulation is an important part of vocal feminization, and clarity in speech can be a part of that. When working on articulation, lightening the pressure behind stop consonants like “p”, “t”, and “k”, for example, can also help to feminize the voice. 

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TRUE

Breath is absolutely essential to maintaining pitch and resonance. Focusing on taking belly breaths and breath management can help to lock in those elements of vocal feminization. 

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TRUE

SOVT exercises, or semi occluded vocal tract exercises, keep your voice healthy and working efficiently. Some examples of these include lip trills, and humming into a straw in cup of water.

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TRUE

Listening is a wonderful way to understand the facets of vocal feminization. When you imitate voices, you become more aware of how your voice feels. Rather than just learning concepts mentally, you're having more of a physical experience. 

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TRUE

Taking private lessons is a great way to get personal attention and education that is tailored to you. 

By working on vocal feminization in a group class, you get a clear curriculum, access to a gender affirming specialist, and the chance to connect with a community of others going through the same process.

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TRUE

Regular practice is the only way to make vocal techniques a habit. And that’s really what vocal feminization is - creating new habits.

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It turns out that ChatGPT does know a lot about vocal feminization! But, I don’t think the answers it gave is a substitute for learning from and connecting with others. 

As you feminize your voice, remember that you are not alone! Taking private lessons or group classes can be a wonderful way to learn, grow, and find your authentic voice.