Excessive Yawning when playing

[Nefertiti]

Hey Everyone,
I have a student and over the last month every time he has a lesson he is yawning for the entire lesson. At first I thought maybe he didn't get enough sleep but last week he told he does it every time he plays the sax. Anyone know whats up with this. I've never had a student do this before. Thanks for any help you can give.

[retread]

Haven't had that problem personally, but my audiences have.

I have heard that yawning can be a nervous response, indicating a degree of apprehension.

[bjornblomberg]

Maybe he doesn't like playing the sax?? What is his motivation for taking lessons, does he want to play the sax himself, or is it his parents who wants him to play?

[SearjeantSax]

i always get that when i open my throat up, for sax or singing

[ChuBerry47]

Locking your knees, and not getting enough breathe. That is what I learned in the missouri all State Boys Choir. Don't lock your knees, and sit up straight, (if sitting).

[Graftonsax]

From what I've read yawning is just part of the exchange of oxygen in the lungs. I yawn pretty much all day, tired or not, thankfully not excessively. Is he a new student? You said he just started doing this the last month, is he doing a sport and just switching from off season? Also wiki has it can be caused by a inner ear pressure problem, which might be the reason why I yawn as much as I do.

[Bill Mecca]

Yawning, from what I understand, is the body's way of telling you it's not getting enough oxygen. Deep breathing, diaphragmatic exercises would probably help.

[ChuBerry47]

Like I said, it is from locking your knees when standing. Try singing in a choir, when not breathing enough, or locking your knees. It makes you Yawn a lot!

[Subbie]

Raising my soft pallate (sp?) while singing does this to me sometimes.
Haven't noticed it as much on my sax, though.

Argh, just thinking of it just made me yawn..

[ratracer]

What Bill said.

[retread]

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19426104.400-yawning-may-boost-brains-alertness.html

As to locking the knees, the US Army says it can cause fainting. It's the reason you sometimes see troops fall over when standing at attention for long periods in a formation.

[ChuBerry47]

I have done that at church playing on stage once or twice on accident.

[bfoster64]

I read a recent study that said yawning is not caused so much by the body's desire to get more oxygen, but by the fact that a little cold air in the back of the throat cools off the skull and makes you more alert. I'm not making this up.

[retread]

That's the subject of the article linked in my post #11.

[Sax Hut]

Steve, the guy is just tense. Plus probably up half the night texting to his sweetheart....

[Lairmon]

I had a student for a while that did that. It does kind of put you off your game so to speak....you think, wow, am I that boring! and how dare you diss what I do and believe in!

[Rackety Sax]

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19426104.400-yawning-may-boost-brains-alertness.html

As to locking the knees, the US Army says it can cause fainting. It's the reason you sometimes see troops fall over when standing at attention for long periods in a formation.

I can tell you this troop had plenty of times he was close to fainting when standing for long periods while in the military, even if I didn't lock my knees. Maybe locking my knees would have made it worse.

[Nefertiti]

I don't think he's tense or nervous. He's been my student for a couple of years. He said it only happens when playing the sax......... Even when he's home practicing. He sitting straight up in a chair not standing. Any other ideas?

[Nefertiti]

This is my teaching technique so maybe he is a little nervous and fearful. Watch the whole video. I learned sax from this guy.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOQaK7NHY-4

[Graftonsax]

This is my teaching technique so maybe he is a little nervous and fearful. Watch the whole video. I learned sax from this guy.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOQaK7NHY-4

ROFL! Is your karate kick as good as that guy?

[Bari Man]

i prescribe a shot of espresso 20 minute before each lesson. :)

[Dr G]

Yawning, from what I understand, is the body's way of telling you it's not getting enough oxygen. Deep breathing, diaphragmatic exercises would probably help.

+1

It is triggered by carbon dioxide buildup - probably caused, in this case, by shallow breathing and weak support.

Ventilate!

(Locked knees are a separate issue with similar presentation.)