An interesting problem

[figmo]

It's interesting from a scientific point, anyway.

From my POV, it means I really have to get cracking on finishing up those vocal harmony arrangements for my CD.

The reason? My alto is going to become a baritone soon.

Specifically, Dr. Jane Ann Robinson told me today she plans to become Dr. James Daniel Robinson.

We joked that if things take a while, she could cut all the alto tracks, then after her voice changes, she could cut baritone tracks. (Actually, she thinks she'll be a tenor like her father, but I think she'll be a baritone.)

Comments

[cellio]

Wow.

So does this mean that voice pitch is primarily hormonal? I always assumed there were some physical difference in the larynx or vocal cords that affected this.

I like the idea of having some tracks from Jane and some from James, though, if the recording schedule permits. :-)

[lysana.livejournal.com]

Hormones have an impact on how the voice box develops. FTM transsexuals have it easier on that level than MTFs, as the testosterone shots will cause the voice box to change size and shape (thus the Adam's apple on your average male). Estrogen shots don't make it shrink.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

Precisely. I'd expect her voice box to enlarge, thus turning a contralto into at least a baritone, if not a basso profundo.

[griffen.livejournal.com]

Actually (and I'm sorry I didn't see this before!) the voice teacher at my last school said that sopranos are more likely to become baris/basses and altos to become tenors, both for males and FTMs. She's been a voice teacher for years and that's been her experience - the vocal change is inversely proportional.

I was a mezzo-soprano; now I'm a baritone. That seems to bear out her theory.

[johno.livejournal.com]

After about 9 months, she hits the teen boy stage.

Which is when the physical changes really start to show.

Which is when all the "hormonal" urges kick in a well.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

This is going to be fun. I can't wait to start razzing her/him about all that stuff. [insert evil grin here]

[johno.livejournal.com]

We already have.

Knowing some of her prefernces, JoeS and I have already given her some interesting web sites to go to.

We actually got her to blush of the concept of her (then him) surfing for porn.