Vocal fold tension relates to the clarity of the voice:

• If your voice is breathy, it means your vocal folds are stiff.

• If your voice is clear, it means your vocal folds are flexible.

• If your voice is creaky, it means your vocal folds are slack.

Okay, let’s talk real. I get it, the whole “breathy equals feminine” thing is super common, especially in the trans community. It’s like, you hear that whispery, soft quality in some feminine voices, and you think, “That’s it! That’s the secret!” But here’s the honest truth: it’s a bit of a trap.

Here’s where that idea probably comes from:

• Stereotypes and Media: Think about how feminine voices are often portrayed in movies or TV. It’s that soft, sometimes breathy, almost fragile sound. It’s a stereotype, and it’s not the whole story.

• The “Soft” Association: Culturally, we often associate softness with femininity. So, a breathy voice gets lumped in with that. But softness can come from so many things, not just breathiness.

• Misunderstanding Resonance: A lot of what makes a voice sound feminine is about resonance, how the sound vibrates in your vocal tract. That can be soft and beautiful, but it’s not the same as just pushing air out.

• Vulnerability and Intimacy: A breathy voice can be intimate and vulnerable, and those qualities are sometimes associated with femininity.

But here’s the down-low on why chasing only breathiness is a bad idea when it comes to vocal feminization:

• You’ll Get Tired: Seriously, trying to keep your vocal folds loose and breathy all the time? It’s exhausting. You’ll end up with a sore throat and a voice that gives out on you.

• It Can Sound Weak: Instead of sounding beautifully feminine, it can just sound weak and like you’re struggling. You want power, not just softness.

• You Could Hurt Yourself: Pushing too much air can strain your vocal folds, and that can lead to problems like nodules or polyps. No thanks.

• It Limits Your Range: You will have a hard time hitting higher notes, or projecting your voice.

• It Can Lead to Muscle Tension Dysphonia: This is when you add extra tension to the muscles around your voice box to compensate for the breathy sound, and it can become very painful.

Basically, breathiness can be part of a feminine voice, but it’s not the whole picture. You want a voice that’s strong, flexible, and healthy. Think of it like this: a truly feminine voice has a strong core, but also has the ability to be soft. Genuinely listen to women around you and I bet you’ll be surprised that that ‘breathy’ voice isn’t as common as you might think.

Till' next time, Kylie