The Female-to-Male (FTM) Singing Voice and its Interaction with Queer Theory: Roles and Interdependency

Abstract

Few types of human voice can be considered to be on the edges of vocality and queer theory more than the Female-to-Male transsexual vocality or transvocality. Even though the characteristics of Female-to-Male (FTM) vocality, speaking or singing, are often presented as the direct result of medical developments in endocrinology, scientific studies were not particularly concerned with singing results before 2002. On the contrary, transsexual men were warned about the dramatic effects in their singing vocal personae. This well established medical evaluation, which has recently begun to be scientifically challenged, can be attributed to three important elements: Abrupt hormonal administration, the care provision for transsexuals and general attitudes towards transvocality. Similarly, post-transition, changes in the hormonal regime may cause further complications for the FTM singer. We are going to discuss this in detail through vocal and general health information as well as considering two case studies based on four participants. In terms of specific musical practice, the knowledge derived from these studies will prove valuable to singers as well as composers and music coaches. This is because, when Female-to-Male singers know the particulars of their individual instruments, the composers may be more interested to write for them and music coaches more willing to listen. Thus, the transmale hybrid vocal personae would be able to achieve freedom from binarian standards and, therefore, respect for themselves and their audiences.

Keywords

• queer theory
• hybrid vocality
• transsexual
• female-to-male singing voice