Testosterone and My Singing Voice, Episode 7: Black Crow (redux)

[rufiorocksmysocks]

holy shit... your guitar playing style... where did u get it from?!? luv the voice also!!

[transoutlaw]

@rufiorocksmysocks Dude, thank you so much! I really appreciate that. I worked as a professional musician for about 10 years in my teens and twenties. My biggest influence on guitar would be Mr. Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, he's one of the last true rhythm players. I played in a few funk bands, playing real funk (not just "funky" music) and that taught me so much about rhythm and "playing the spaces." Plus, there's nothing like jamming out to a room full of sweaty dancers.

[rufiorocksmysocks]

@transoutlaw Haha! That's SO AWESOME!!! Thank you so much for the response, also!!! If you make a cd I'll def. buy it!!! =D

[IluvAshland]

I guess u know about T better than me. Is it ok to switch between Cypionate and Enanthate? I used to take Enanthate but currently resorting to Cypionate. Which one do u think it's good effect for u? By the way, u look good. I'm 1 year and 3 months on T but have only some fuzz. Can u suggest how to grow the mustache and beard? Any supplements u take along with T?

[transoutlaw]

@IluvAshland Yes, Cyp and Enanthate are virtually the same and are freely interchangeable. I've gone between the two a couple of times now due to supply issues.

It took me quite a while to develop visible facial hair. I had almost none for my first year on T, and it's still not all grown in. I will be a 5-year to full beard man. There are anecdonal reports of liquid rogaine helping with facial hair growth, though this is not an approved use. [contd]

[transoutlaw]

@IluvAshland He Shou Wu is a Chinese herb that can help with hair growth. Ultimately your genetics play the biggest role. Are there furry men in your family? That would be a good sign of things to come. As frustrating as it is (it was and still is for me) patience is your best friend. Teenage boys take years to grow a full beard too. It's a similar situation for trans guys. Hope this helps!

[QueerKade]

Could you tell me about the differences you noticed with your voice pre and post T? I'm an ftm and a singer and I just can't decide about T because I don't want to not be able so sing anymore, though you clearly show that it's possible.

[transoutlaw]

@QueerKade Clearly, my range has changed. My voice doesn't crack anymore, but I don't practice enough and I still have work to do with retraining my brain: my head instinctively wants to sing higher, because it's more used to it. So, songs that I've sung forever can be a bit confusing. I can't necessarily just drop a full octave, and I despise capos, so I tend to rewrite melodies. It's a fun exercise but it can be a bit frustrating too. It's a great time to discover new songs... contd

[transoutlaw]

@QueerKade The tone of my voice is different too. It's huskier, whiskey-er, more rock'n'roll. With some music I like it better, other material better suits my cleaner voice from days past. My projection isn't great but I think that has more to do with not practicing. (The voice is a muscle that needs to be worked out.) Also, because I'm not practicing, and am thus more unsure of my range than I should be, I sing less.

contd...

[transoutlaw]

@QueerKade Ultimately, I have no regrets. Everyone's voice changes over time. Knowing what I know about T and how it works for me, it was the right choice for me. I couldn't have NOT medically transitioned to "save" my voice, and I wouldn't have wanted to try to live as a man with my old voice. I had to go forward and accept unknown changes, even though it's left me with some work to do to really feel comfortable singing in public again.

Check out Lucas' channel: cliksmusic

[skilletfan12345]

Wow, you are very handsome! And a fantastic singer! Updates!!

[maszlagma]

Question: Was it hard to sing in lower voice? Did you have to learn again how to use it or did it come naturally?

[transoutlaw]

@maszlagma My voice is low with zero effort, thanks to testosterone, but the hard part is re-training my brain to sing lower and reset the "muscle memory" in my voice box. It takes work, and more practice than I allow myself, but since I sang in a higher voice for most of my life I guess this shouldn't come as any surprise.

[maszlagma]

@transoutlaw Thanks! That's what I wanted to know that you have to re-learn the muscle position for the different notes. Thanks for the answer!

[rufiorocksmysocks]

AWESOME PLAYING AND SINGING!!!

[finalfantasy8VIII]

dude your awesome, you sing and play amazingly! way better than the original for sure :D

[transoutlaw]

@StanLuverman Haha, yup still me! I've been slack about making vids this year, but will get back to it soon!

[taurianfontenettefan]

You look masculine from every angle now. Theres no doubt about that. Can you tell a huge difference in your skin texture? Im a guy but Ive been estrogen dominant for the majority of my life so Im pretty soft looking. Im hoping that achieving androgen dominance will bring about a harder look.

[transoutlaw]

@taurianfontenettefan Yes, T definitely changed the texture of my skin, though it's difficult to measure because I'm also so much harrier, all over ;) T also changed the shape of my face somewhat.

[DimeRB2496]

havent put out a vid in awhile, u should

[n0privacy]

you are Awesome! and hot to man... your transition is amazing

[ShaneCounts]

your amazing in a famous way I mean too record n let it be heard



[littleredrodeo21]

Absolutely beautiful

[marioparty468]

really manly looking dude...can't believe how different you look xD lol keep it up

[firewrecker]

so, did you get top surgery? and did your parents know?

[WhiteRoarBlack]

@firewrecker It's not up to the parents.

[transoutlaw]

@firewrecker Yes, I had top surgery. Absolutely, my parents know.

[iubball22]

came across your video, dont really know your story, but doesn't really matter, this is an awesome performance!

[MissKhetsa]

Wow. I love how much emotion you put into your singing. I stumbled across your anniversary celebration vid of beginning T treatment a while back and wow.. I hardly recognize you. Anyway, great stuff and keep it up x

[Jaywuzup]

Damn nice acoustic guitar bruh dammit i remember when i use to perform.you play very well keep it up-JAY

[ZettaSloooow]

Man, what a fantastic cover. You've got so much talent! :)

[NycAttentionWhore]

im just so amazed by the process you've gone through. you have a nice voice too by the way. :)

[bornforwater]

You. You rock my world.

How awesome is this song? And the fact that you're so at home in the new range that T has put you in just makes me smile. I've often wondered if I'll have trouble singing when I get on T- but seriously, man, you've wiped the worry out for me. Fantastic vid, fantastic song. Thanks.

[charlenemonique1]

I just dropped in to say hello and am digging this video.You have major talent.I dont know the song but it's beautiful did you write this? It made me smile.Just saw a spider in my bathroom and I freaked out and I cant get anyone in here to kill it.I have a serious phobia towards them.Now I have to pee in a paper cup lol and use the front bathroom.Your vid made me feel a bit better.Oh, how I hate those things.Why cant they stay outside where they belong.Well,take care.I dont know what to do.

[transoutlaw]

@charlenemonique1 Wish I could say yes, but I didn't write this. This is a Joni Mitchell song, from one of my favorite records. Check out the video description and you'll find a link to Joni performing this, masterfully.

[xbendiistraw]

I admire you!

[ladykissthevelvet21]

I just came across this video and I must say that your voice is gorgeous. I love it!

[jaystarjay80]

WOW .. this is such an amazing cover of that song! i love it!

[ActRider1]

I just wanted to say that I stumbled on your videos and even though I don't know you...I'm so proud of you! Way to be YOU!!!! And, how awesome to share your experience with others! Good luck and best wishes and I'll definitely be checking back to see how you're doing!

[transoutlaw]

@ActRider1 Thanks, appreciate it! They say that we're all reflections of each other, so I imagine you're also doing a great job of being you. Keep it up :)

[TimeWarrior14]

@transoutlaw Tell me,how the fuck come Justin Bieber is a celebrity? That should be you,not some Mickey Mouse fag.

[mjdepina624]

love the video.  soo much energy when playing the guitar. it makes me wanna sing too. lol. great job man!

[Csight]

Man, jealous over here. I can't break into my mid range without my voice cracking yet. You sound great.

[transoutlaw]

@Csight Just give it some time! There was a long time where I only sang alone in the car ;) I'm still getting used to my new range, it's unfamiliar territory, but it's not betraying me like it was.

[kiestraak]

I fucking LOVE your singing voice.

[mfarriss]

Awesome tune! Awesome rendition of the tune, too!!! Yeah, your voice has dropped quite a bit! Thanks for posting!!!

[untitledentity98]

The haircut looks great! Great video, by the way.

[ERiCDrAyViN]

Hello, if you stop T does the voice go back to a female range? Also if a male blocks T and DHT does the male vocal range increase or is it already gone too far.

I watch lots of your vids and the change is amazing. It's also amazing now that you still have an XX in every cell!

One thing I'd REALLY like to know is Did your personality change with T or is it impossible to tell? Like if you became more aggressive/assertive it could be due to higher confidence in yourself rather than the T itself.

[TheAssesKicker]

@ERiCDrAyViN First. if you stop T your voice will still be as manly as it is nothing changes .Second. a transman is a man so in your second question you should have said biological male ,also it is extremely dangerous for a biological male to take T so i won't recommend it .Third. Taking T won't change your personality however it will make you much more less emotional.

Cheers.

[aimeegumina]

Man! Fantastic voice and cover. It is so very intriguing hearing how much your voice has altered since the last time you covered the song.

[ftmjake]

SOUNDS FANTASTIC

[pazangalang]

keep shaving! WE NEED SOME SUMMER!!!

[OutcastEntertainment]

oh my god, dude you cut your hair! I was just watching the Remy Shand cover and thinking you had amzing hair too! LOL. You look good though, summer always is better with short hair :) Awesome song!

[TheGeorgeBerger]

Man this sounds great, you look a lot different and sound a lot different

amazing cover

[ThatPunkBrent]

what a difference man..sound great

[chillin26]

looking and soundin great man, I really like the hair cut, I keep sayin that Im going to grow mine out but I hate the intermidiate state so I always end up cutting it!!

[JunkpileJ]

I genuinely usually hate it when people upload vids like these but i fucking watched this twice man you are awesome!

[berlmeister]

man, you sound awesome!

[bodhiftm]

AWESOME job buddy....great energy....you are one talented dude!!

cheers, samuel

[MasonRyan25]

wow, you are an incredible guitarist! and singer too! haha

[JsanNicholas]

WOW!  Love your voice! Pretty cool.

[TC38Cole]

You get more impressive with every update bro.

[TEMAXOFICIALVIDEO]

o sexy voice

[jofilvidue]

Your singing blows me away man! Love the hair too :-) Keep on rockin'!!

[BonesDGAF021]

love the haircut. im growing mine out right now but looking forward to shaving it once my facial changes are done on T

[transoutlaw]

@BonesDGAF021 Thanks! I took the razors to my head as a sort of "rain dance" to bring on the summer! Summer is my power time (and it was coming on slowly up here.) I'd never cut anyone's hair before, including my own, now I'm trimming it up with the razors regularly. I also gave my GF a trim the other day, and then buzzed a buddy. He'd never shaved his head before and is LOVING it :)

[pazangalang]

@transoutlaw Keep shaving! WE NEED SUMMER!!!

[korMLEfan]

I'm looking forward to watching your new video. Because you said that you would record it again. I think your singing voice is really attractive and better after testosterone therapy. And I love your acoustic guitar playing.

AND, your new hairstyle looks good on you.

[transoutlaw]

@korMLEfan Thank you!! Maybe it's not clear, but... This is it! This is the video of me singing the song again. There's a clip at the beginning from two years ago, then the full song recorded again yesterday.

[transgenderman]

Nice... ;)

[Ryder078]

wicked! :)

[KellykaLynn]

P.S. I bet that guitar needed a cigarette afterwards...dayum! ^_^ Madd skillz! LOVE IT!

[KellykaLynn]

Hella CrAzY skillz! INVU!!!

[murkymidnight]

Learning to play guitar & sing is something I reeeally want to do, especially after I start T.

You sound good, man.

[xxthread]

! awesome.

you both inspire me and calm my fears about t and my singing voice. :)

[anm30]

AWESOME!!!

[Zedie36]

you play and sound great joshua!

[xQUEERKIDx]

Your voice songs wonderful. Thanks so much for posting. =]

Your guitar playing has also improved.

[mynamekeisha]

wow..

[Mr007Punk]

You got skills man!

[MrAlexio2010]

Awesome, awesome, awesome.

[numbtre]

AMAZING!! =DD

[Trannyman2009]

Impressive!

[Johnson210000]

Joshua: You sound great! Glad to see you back making new videos! Lloyd

[thefoosballwizard]

So when's your album coming out? :P :D