How should a guy project a female voice without sounding TOO fake?

Question

I am a guy playing a part in a play where I am playing a female role (or at least for parts of the play I am). Does anyone have any tips for projecting a more female sounding voice without it sounding really too fake. Should I go for higher pitch or maybe huskier? Just not sure what to do!

Thanks

CA

Answer 1

Most men who portray women simply soften their voices and speak very calmly. Going higher in pitch would only help if it didn't sound forced. Good luck!

Answer 2

Fake Girl Voice

Answer 3

Hey, I'm an actress and I know guys who have played female parts: the best thing is to concentrate on 'being' a woman and immersing yourself imaginatively in the role of woman, the voice and gestures will look after themselves (gestures, by the way, are just as, if not more important, for what's the point in sounding like a woman if you walk like a man?). The rehearsal process is where you experiment and figure it out, if you work hard enough, it should all fall into place on stage.

Good lu ... I mean, break a leg ...

Answer 4

depending on the type of character you are playing there are several way to go about sounding female. The easiest was is to talk softly just barley above a whisper. This will project an illusion of sensuality. another way is to speak in a normal volume but change the pitch to a higher level. be sure you don't go up to much or your voice will crack, and you won't be able to finish the play.

Answer 5

I was into theatre works for a while, or rather it was part of the module when I was studying arts.Never really got into it professionally though....
But there is something I would like to share,which my leacturer back then taught us:

The role is not in your voice,but rather your character. One of my male classmates was given a female role as well and he went on the street watching how different ladies behave and speak and mimic a lady's posture and everything to the bone. Although he retained his manly tone,but the way he spoke was so feminine,the audience had to believe he was a lady while watching.

Gist is, I'd advise you emphasize more on gaining a female tone then the voice. Hope this helps.

All the best!

Answer 6

I guess he'd have to be a male with a higher than average voice for starters. My voice is too deep to ever impersonate a female, but some guys can. They talk real high, like in their headvoice (through the nose) & use really soft tones. If I did that I'd just sound gay, but that's the price I pay for having such a good, manly baritone voice.

Answer 7

I'm a total late comer to this question but...
The trick is to modify the breath not the voice. Woman tend to speaker softer not higher. Try to project from the diaphragm for volume instead of the throat. Picture your voice emanating out of somewhere above your head. Posture is very important...STAND UP STRAIGHT.For a good example of the technique watch "Tootsie" or "Priscilla queen of the dessert" or "Transamerica"
Good Luck.

Answer 8

I've heard it has less to do with high pitch than with placement and word choice (which, of course, is out of your control in a play).

Try projecting less from the diaphragm and more from the chest and throat. Breathier is better, too -- not a phony, Marilyn Monroe-like voice, but lighter and airier than your own.

Answer 9

I second what the earlier girl said about immersing yourself in acting female. The best thing for the voice is just using a softer tone at your highest natural--emphasis on natural--pitch. No falsetto, that just sounds fake. Just use your lighter voice pitches.

Answer 10

If you have a budget try researching "voice coach" on yahoo search. You can also try "free voice coach", if you don't have a budget. There aren't as many free things.

This website promises to change your sound in 3 phone calls.
yourvoicecoach.com

Check out their interview. The interview alone is very helpful in lots of other ways.