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

http://transguys.com/joshua
Here's an update to a song I uploaded almost 2 years ago. My voice has changed a lot since then!

More versions of Black Crow:

Joni Mitchell, Santa Barbara '79:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sas2UEML0-E

Diana Krall, Montreal Jazz Festival:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJx2oVCKGLs

Garrin Benfield, SF 2008:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN_Pm3eAO0A

=========================================
Black Crow - Joni Mitchell

There's a crow flying
Black and ragged
Tree to tree
He's black as the highway that's leading me
Now he's diving down
To pick up on something shiny
I feel like that black crow
Flying
In a blue sky

I took a ferry to the highway
Then I drove to a pontoon plane
I took a plane to a taxi
And a taxi to a train
I've been traveling so long
How'm I ever going to know my home
When I see it again
I'm like a black crow flying
In a blue, blue sky

In search of love and music
My whole life has been
Illumination
Corruption
And diving, diving, diving, diving.
Diving down to pick up on every shiny thing
Just like that black crow flying
In a blue sky

I looked at the morning
After being up all night
I looked at my haggard face in the bathroom light
I looked out the window
And I saw that ragged soul take flight
I saw a back crow flying
In a blue sky
Oh I'm like a black crow flying
In a blue sky

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• transoutlaw
• joni
• mitchell
• black
• crow
• testosterone
• ftm
• transgender
• jonimitchell

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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!

[StanLuverman]

DAMN! thats still you? I just watched a video of yours from 3 years ago to a year ago wow, post some updates!

[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

[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!

[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

[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...