Voice training is a specialized therapy many transgender individuals undergo as part of gender-affirming care to align their voice with their internal gender. This guide goes over the basics of transmasculine voice training.
This guide was built by Benito, an independent health writer, advocate, certified Illinois community health worker, and former psychiatric crisis responder. While the author brings extensive professional experience in community health navigation and resource tracking, he is not a speech-language pathologist (SLP).
This directory is a compiled, peer-vetted educational resource designed to increase community accessibility to vocal mechanics. It is intended to serve as a practical, plain-language supplement to—not a replacement for—individualized diagnostic evaluation, vocal therapy, or direct supervision by a certified speech-language pathology professional.
Table of Contents
- How Testosterone Affects the Transmasculine Voice
- Core Objectives of Transmasculine Voice Therapy
- Transmasculine Voice Training Tools and Resources
- Privacy Considerations for Transgender Voice Tools
- Practical Exercises for Transmasculine Voice Training
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Additional Resources for Transmasculine Voice Training
Voice training helps masculinize and feminize one’s voice to reduce gender dysphoria. Although not required, voice training is frequently accompanied by hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgery.
Voice changes may also include surgery as well as non-surgical options like resonance modification and adjustment of nonverbal communication. Many transgender people engage with voice training through free tools or professional providers; there is no one correct way to transition or be transgender.
How Testosterone Affects the Transmasculine Voice
Voice training is strongly associated with transgender women compared to transgender men since testosterone hormone replacement therapy naturally lowers one’s pitch. Unlike feminizing HRT, no voice therapy is necessary to deepen pitch from testosterone use.
During the first six months of hormone replacement therapy, testosterone causes the vocal cords to thicken and lengthen. This change forces the cords to vibrate at a slower rate, producing a deeper pitch. This change is permanent and irreversible; one’s voice change cannot be reversed even if testosterone hormone replacement therapy is stopped.
Although the most dramatic drop occurs in the first year of HRT, voice changes can continue for up to five years or longer. This aligns with puberty in cisgender men, whose vocal cords and larynx mature until the mid-20s. Even after settling, cisgender men often experience additional vocal tissue thickening in their 30s. Additionally, transmasculine individuals who begin HRT in their 20s or later may only experience vocal thickening and not lengthening after the laryngeal cartilage ossifies.
Testosterone hormone replacement therapy only impacts pitch. It cannot change one’s resonance, vocal weight, vocal tilt, or dynamics without behavioral modification. This causes some individuals not to feel satisfied with their voice and gender presentation.
This also produces the “T-voice” phenomenon. Since most transmasculine individuals pursue testosterone without access to voice training, their pitch lowers without adjusting other pre-transition vocal characteristics, resulting in a nasally voice. However, voice training can eliminate “T-voice” and allow transmasculine people to feel comfortable with their voices.
Core Objectives of Transmasculine Voice Therapy
The primary goal of transmasculine voice training is to modify voices, speech patterns, and nonverbal communication to better align with one’s internal gender identity. Voice therapy seeks to alleviate gender dysphoria and build individuals’ confidence to communicate comfortably.
Common goals in transmasculine voice therapy include:
- Lowering the vocal pitch
- Developing a masculine resonance
- Improving vocal confidence
- Preventing vocal strain
- Reducing vocal dysphoria
Transmasculine Voice Training Tools and Resources
Transgender individuals can reduce gender dysphoria through self-guided exercises, professional therapy, mobile apps, and peer support groups. These are the most popular transmasculine voice training tools.
Certified Speech Therapy for Voice Masculinization
The most traditional method for voice training is through professional therapy with a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). SLPs are trained healthcare professionals who specialize in communication disorders.
For the best quality of care, transmasculine individuals should seek SLPs who hold affiliations with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), and other transgender-inclusive certifications like Trans Voice Initiative and OutCare Health.
The two most important certifications are professional licensure local to your state and WPATH, followed by the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). State licensure assures that practicing clinicians have up-to-date training to provide treatment. WPATH affiliation ensures healthcare professionals align with established best medical practices for transgender individuals.
Certified speech-language pathologists are the best masculinizing voice training method covered by insurance. Transgender voice therapy can be covered by healthcare insurance and Medicaid, but only through in-network SLPs.
The best directories to find an SLP best suited to your needs are:
Each of these directories offers detailed information regarding providers, accepted insurance plans, and contact information.
You may find an appropriate provider by contacting your insurance company and asking about speech therapy coverage. Insurance providers list customer service numbers on insurance cards and websites. Billing codes commonly associated with transmasculine voice training are 92524 and 92507, although companies may require an official gender dysphoria diagnosis to approve coverage.
Major universities with current graduate speech-language pathology programs operate clinics open to their off-campus community. These clinics may offer gender-affirming voice therapy through supervised graduate students.
Lastly, LGBTQIA+ community centers may partner with SLPs to offer discounted services or sliding scales for gender-affirming voice training. Some SLP community center partnerships even produce free workshops for community members to attend.
Online Voice Masculinization Courses and Coaching
It is common for transgender individuals to obtain voice training from digital courses and coaching. Transmasculine voice training websites can be a much more accessible way to alleviate gender dysphoria due to a wider range of providers, which include speech-language pathologists, vocal pedagogues, singing instructors, theater coaches, and other professionals.
Since online courses include non-SLP professionals, they are rarely covered by insurance or Medicaid. Many courses offer scholarships or sliding scales to offset user fees paid out-of-pocket. On the other hand, individuals have greater choice in comparing voice training courses compared to traditional SLPs.
It is important to receive services from trusted professionals and to verify all credentials before pursuing a service.
The most popular transmasculine voice training courses include:
- Undead Voice
- TransVoiceLessons
- TrueVoice Therapy
- Queer Vox
- Renée Yoxon
- Jordan Ross Communication
- Seattle Voice Lab
Free Video Resources on YouTube and TikTok
YouTube and TikTok are popular platforms for transgender voice training, offering thousands of videos with guidance and exercises to masculinize one’s voice. Healthcare professionals and content creators alike produce free videos that can serve as great transmasculine voice tools.
Renée Yoxon
Renée Yoxon is a gender-affirming voice teacher with an active YouTube presence that explores voice masculinization, as well as voice femininization and androgyny.
Renée produces a variety of content, ranging from training guides and theory to general trans liberation beyond voice training.
Jordan Ross Communication
Jordan Ross Communication is a speech-language pathologist who focuses on content catered to transmasculine voices. He holds certification with ASHA and WPATH in addition to his Master’s in speech-language pathology.
Alongside Renée Yoxon, Jordan Ross arguably has the most free content for transmasculine voice training available.
TransVoiceLessons
TransVoiceLessons is considered the gold standard in the voice training community. The channel’s free tutorial videos are produced by the identically-named online course.
Although TransVoiceLessons is geared towards voice feminization, it provides great reference tools to explain the science behind voice training.
Seattle Voice Lab
Seattle Voice Lab is a large voice training school, allowing it to offer transgender voice coaching to a large student population. Like TransVoiceLessons, Seattle Voice Lab also produces free content on YouTube.
In addition to theory and basics, Seattle Voice Lab has several videos catered to transmasculine voices. Although SVL hasn’t uploaded any full-length videos recently, they continue to create educational content through YouTube Shorts.
Undead Voice
Nicole Gress is the founder of Undead Voice, another transgender voice training program that became popular around 2022. Undead Voice degendered voices, referring to voices as “brighter” and “darker” rather than using potentially triggering terms like masculine or feminine.
Undead Voice and Nicole Gress have uploaded dozens of videos to YouTube to allow individuals to explore the basics of voice training, including voice masculinization.
Isabella Ferrari
Isabella Ferrari is a transgender voice trainer who uploads videos to explain the basics of vocal masculinization and feminization. In addition to their training resources, Isabella also has hundreds of karaoke videos to promote student learning.
Zoey Alexandria
Zoey Alexandria was a transgender voice actress and professionally taught voice training, offering educational content for free on YouTube. Zoey has some of the most popular videos for transmasculine voice training on the platform.
Zoey Alexandria died in 2024 after battling encephalitis. Her YouTube videos are still available as a resource, although the linked website on her account now redirects to a fake fitness website. You can use the Wayback Machine to view the original website and resources.
Micah J
Micah J is a gender-affirming voice trainer popular on TikTok with a small selection of videos cross-posted to YouTube. Like Undead Voice, Micah sorts their content as “Low & Open” and “High & Bright” rather than through traditional terms like masculine or feminine.
In contrast to some other creators on this list, Micah is the most active and continues to post content on their main TikTok account.
Mobile Applications for Voice Masculinization
Voice training apps are effective tools used alongside therapy and coursework to improve vocal masculinization. Many transmasculine individuals use apps to track progress, analyze pitch, and visualize their voice.
It is important to note that apps cannot replace traditional training through a speech-language pathologist or similar professional. Apps are great at visualizing progress and tracking progress, but even advanced AI struggles to gender human voices. Apps process voice recordings in vacuum spaces without other cues that associate gender.
Popular transmasculine voice training apps include:
There are hundreds of similar apps available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. It is recommended to primarily use free or freemium apps since software alone cannot replace the human interaction necessary in vocal training. In other words, consider apps as a starting point and don’t get too hung up on their effectiveness or how they gender you.
Peer Communities for Transmasculine Voice Training
Beyond traditional therapy, online courses, and video tutorials, transgender communities share tips and exercises online to promote self-growth and alleviate gender dysphoria. For individuals unable to access therapy or courses, these communities are a fantastic transmasculine voice training tool.
r/transvoice
Reddit is a massive social media platform, consisting of thousands of forums that allow users to anonymously interact based on shared interests. r/transvoice is the largest subreddit dedicated to transgender voice training.
r/transvoice hosts several resources created by moderators and users to help transmasculine individuals alleviate vocal dysphoria. The subreddit also maintains its own Discord server and frequently hosts content from professional voice trainers.
TransGender Pulse
TransGender Pulse is one of the most preeminent transgender forums today outside of Reddit, followed by Susan’s Place, Transgender Heaven, and TG Forum. TransGender Pulse is well-moderated by website administrators, although its smaller traffic means fewer voice training tools for transmasculine users.
Scinguistics
Scinguistics is the most active transgender voice training Discord server. The server is run by professional teachers like Ama Rose Lessons and CRAMD Voice Lessons. With over 17,000 members, Scinguistics hosts ongoing events and lessons for users.
Lunar Nexus
Lunar Nexus is a popular Discord server centered around transgender voice training. Many transgender voice training servers are run by professional coaches and allies, including Lunar Nexus.
Due to the 2023 Discord update, standard servers cannot have permanent non-expirable invite codes without community server status. The best way to access Lunar Nexus is by reaching out to members on r/transvoice for a current invite link.
Online Vocal Coach
Online Vocal Coach is a Discord server operated by Vox Nova Studios to provide gender-affirming voice training tools. The server has 10,000 members and offers lessons, workshops, and other virtually hosted events.
Privacy Considerations for Transgender Voice Tools
Remember that nothing is truly free, including gender-affirming voice training tools. Even on free apps and websites, your data may be collected and sold to third parties.
Learn the basics surrounding trans-specific digital privacy and consider the potential costs of your voice being recorded or outed by using these platforms.
Practical Exercises for Transmasculine Voice Training
Many transmasculine voice training exercises can be completed solo through structured guidance from websites, apps, and videos. Here are common exercises and tips to masculinize one’s voice.
Remember that it is important to engage with others while training your voice. Although much of voice training can be completed alone, professional supervision ensures bad habits don’t form.
Diaphragmatic Breathing and Vocal Tract Expansion
Breathing exercises open the throat and airway to create larger spaces. Like most instruments, the vocal cords have access to more space for deeper sounds – similar to the physical size and sound differences between a guitar and a ukulele.
Diaphragmatic breathing (or belly breathing) promotes effective lung usage. Although humans naturally breathe diaphragmatically, many people are conditioned towards shallow chest breaths.
The simplest way to practice opening the throat for speaking is to close your lips, relax your jaw, and yawn with a closed mouth. This motion will force the airway to open, which can be manipulated while speaking to produce a darker, masculine sound.
Deconstructing the “Customer Service” Voice: Lip Posture and Dynamics
The lips play a major role in producing vocal resonance, tilt, and dynamics. Transgender men are predisposed to be vocally accommodating through feminine fawning socialization. This commonly results in a high-pitched “customer service” voice that can incite dysphoria.
Overly smiling or forcing the lips to be tight creates a bright voice, whereas relaxed, rounded lips create a darker voice.
However, this can force transmasculine individuals to feel limited, monotone, or unable to freely express themselves through masculine voices. Voices don’t have to be monotone to be masculine, although monotone is a popular safety net to create masculine voices. Vocal expression can be improved through relaxed breathwork.
Sternocleidomastoid Strengthening and Vocal Safety
There is anecdotal evidence that strengthening the sternocleidomastoid neck muscles deepens the voice. These muscles pull on the vocal cords, manipulating the sound to be tense and high.
This is partially true. Strengthening the sternocleidomastoids improves posture, which opens the airway for a deeper and richer sound. Additionally, the lack of tension on the larynx keeps the voice relaxed and low.
However, this poses a greater risk of injury because you are involving the sternocleidomastoid muscles directly. Diaphragmatic breathing and vocal fry exercises are considerably safer.
Drinking Water to Reduce Vocal Friction
Hydration impacts the lubrication and pliability of one’s voice. Data shows that although hydration does NOT change the size of one’s vocal cords, it does reduce friction and tension to produce a smooth, deep voice.
Drinking water and eating fluid-rich foods keep the voice lubricated, allowing you to speak more deeply because the air pressure necessary to vibrate the vocal cords is decreased.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can voice training help masculinize my voice if I have not begun hormone replacement therapy?
Yes. Voice training is effective at masculinizing the voice without testosterone hormone replacement therapy, making it a valuable option for individuals who do not want to hormonally transition.
Testosterone only influences pitch. Other aspects of voice, such as resonance and dynamics, are not changed by HRT and will only masculinize with training.
How long do testosterone voice changes take?
Voice changes on testosterone hormone replacement therapy begin between three and six months for most people, although experiences may vary based on genetics. The most significant drop occurs within the first year, but masculine voices continue to develop for years. Even in cisgender men, voices mature into their 30s despite earlier puberty.
Do all transmasculine people need voice training?
No. Many transmasculine individuals feel satisfied with their voices through testosterone hormone replacement therapy alone, since it plays a significant role in lowering one’s pitch.
However, many transmasculine people benefit from voice training since testosterone only targets pitch. Due to misconceptions about testosterone and transmasculine transitioning, voice training is not as readily accessible to transgender men as transgender women.
Can voice exercises damage my voice?
Yes, voice exercises can potentially damage your voice if done incorrectly. Similar to how lifting heavy weights with bad form can cause serious muscle injuries, poor form in vocal training can cause injuries as well.
To promote good form and prevent bad vocal habits, vocal training is best under the supervision of a professional. If you are unable to access supervision, emphasize breath support, semi-occluded vocal tract exercises, and monitor your voice for potential damage.
Can voice training be covered by insurance?
Yes. Transmasculine voice training is often covered by insurance providers and Medicaid if it is deemed medically necessary and conducted by a licensed speech-language pathologist. However, coverage depends on state residency and insurance provider restrictions.
Additional Resources for Transmasculine Voice Training
Azul, D. (2015). Transmasculine people’s vocal situations: A critical review of gender-related discourses and empirical data. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 50(1), 31–47.
Connected Speech Pathology. FTM Voice Training: Essential Tips and Techniques.
Constansis, A. (2008). The Changing Female-To-Male (FTM) Voice, Radical Musicology, Vol. 3.
Dahl, K. L., François, F. A., Buckley, D. P., & Stepp, C. E. (2022). Voice and speech changes in transmasculine individuals following circumlaryngeal massage and laryngeal reposturing. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 31(3), 1368–1382.
Davidson, S. (2022). The Transmasculine Voice: A Guide to Vocal Euphoria. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
FOLX Health. Transmasculine Speech and Communication Guide.
Groll, M. D., Dahl, K. L., Cádiz, M. D., Welch, B., Tracy, L. F., & Stepp, C. E. (2022). Resynthesis of transmasculine voices to assess gender perception as a function of testosterone therapy. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 65(7), 2474–2489.
jo!. (n.d.). TransVoiceParty.
Lichen. (n.d.). DIY voice: A voice masculinization resource zine [Zine]. Trans Reads.
Mills, M., & Stoneham, G. (2017). The voice book for trans and non-binary people: A practical guide to creating and sustaining authentic voice and communication. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Plume. Masculine vs. Feminine Voice Training Guide.
r/transvoice. r/transvoice Subreddit Community Forum.
Romeo / r/transvoice. Romeo’s Trans Masculine Voice Training Guide.
Sharkofgold. (2018). FTM/Transmasc Voice Guide.
TransGuys. Testosterone and FTM Singing.
Undead Voice. The Undead Voice Virtual Program.
Vocal Congruence Project. VCP Resource Hub Database.
Vocular. How to Get a Deeper Voice.
Yoxon, R. Free Trans Voice Resources and Freebies.