For people who have had professional singing lessons, how do you keep from yawning while singing?

Question

At church this morning, I found myself yawning frequently while singing the hymns. I get plenty of sleep during the night, so I know it has nothing to do with that. (I generally go to bed around 10 or 10:30.) This is just something that I've notice over the years. It has certainly bothered me for that long too.

Is there something to do to prevent from yawning? Like a certain breathing exercise or something?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Yawning comes along with tiredness and relaxation.

When you sing the muscles of the face, troath and torax need to be relaxed, stretched and warmed up. Yawning it's kinda defense when you start singin' early in the morning without vocal warm up.

Some vocal technique teachers like to use voluntary yawning as a first step on the warm up process, so you can star yawning all the way to the church. That way your muscles would be ready for start singing instead of yawning. Good luck!

Answer 2

I had that problem for a long time, but it went away on its own. The more often you sing, the more your body gets used to it. I did find, though, that I'd yawn less if I didn't let myself run completely out of air. Fill your lungs a little more than neccessary every time you inhale while singing and you should be okay.

Answer 3

my voice teacher says it is good to yawn when you are singing. it opens up your palete so you can reach those high notes.