• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Stevie Jewel

  • About
  • Blog
  • Writing
  • Music
    • Videos
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Search
  • Subscribe

05.10.16

How to Overcome Nerves or Stagefright

I’ve been performing for a long time, and I can still remember my first public singing performance; a cover of Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi”.  I remember it made me want to practice, because nerves are something I’ve dealt with since I started performing.  Some of the best performers have suffered from an experience on stage and contracted stage fright – the Barbra Streisand Central Park incident where she forgot her lyrics kept her from performing out for over a decade!  I’ve tried a lot of different remedies, from breathing techniques and vitamins to different teas and supplements.  So I’m going to share with you the things that have helped me overcome my own experience with nerves before hitting the stage.

Hartselle - Alabama Hartselle – Alabama

Vitamins/Supplements

Valerian –  I tried Valerian root, a natural supplement that is supposed to help your nerves before an audition in high school, and it was okay, but what I found out later was that you need to try it out before hand to find out what kind of dosage you need to start feeling calm.  This works for me, but I don’t feel like it completely squelches the nervous energy.

Ashwagandha – This is a tablet I got from Whole Body and it decreases your anxiety level while still giving you energy.  I found that this worked well for me, I didn’t feel as though I wasn’t nervous, I just felt I could better control the anxious energy.

Nashville Street Tacos Nashville Street Tacos

Start Small

Play smaller shows. Start with a room where your almost just background noise or entertainment.  Build your confidence there, and then work your way up to bigger rooms where your art is the main focus.

Puckett's - Nashville Puckett’s – Nashville

Prepare

The first show I ever played guitar and sang at was at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta and it was traumatizing. I wore the wrong skirt which was a slippery material, I sat on a stool where my feet couldn’t touch the ground or the foot rest bar, I had only been playing guitar two weeks, and the one song I played was a mess.  I LEARNED FROM THIS. I learned to think about the details that may seem insignificant but during a crucial moment can save you a lot of stress and panic. Think about how your wardrobe will affect your playing ability.  Think about what you’re eating the day of the show, think about standing vs. sitting, because it all matters!

The Mint - LA The Mint – LA

Practice

This is the method that always works for me.  I practice until it’s in my bones.  I practice until I can recover from a mistake.  Practice until you are sick of it and then practice some more.

All of this put together helps me almost completely dissolve nerves or anxiety of any kind.  What are your methods?

Read More

sidebar

Follow Stevie on Instagram

Open
Happy Mother’s Day to the legend. No one could ever compare.
Open
Today would have been my beloved Audrey’s sweet 16th birthday. She crossed the rainbow bridge on 5/4/22 and my life will never be the same. She will always be the sweetest, most loyal, perfect girl.
Open
My most precious little bunny! 🌸💐
Open
This photo was taken on Damien’s first trip to Nashville. We went to find a waterfall that was two hours away and while there ran into a photographer. He offered to take some pictures of us, without knowing it was Damien’s birthday. He emailed them to us a day later. It’s still one of my favorite pictures. #happyvalentinesday @damien_keeter 💕
Open
Just a little throwback ✨☀️
Open
#happybirthday to the best guy I know. Here’s to you and another year full of laughter and fun.
Open
Leave room for magic✨ 

I didn’t plan to stand here wearing this shirt and having it blend seamlessly into the lake behind me, but when you leave a little room for magic, ✨magic✨ shows up. 
#fallphotography #autumncolors #algonquinpark
Open
Nothing like #goldenhourphotography ✨
Open
ANNOUNCEMENT and PREVIEW! My website has been redone to reflect my new direction. You’ll be able to follow along there with all my book updates. ALSO - the first chapter is now available to read on my homepage and under my blog. LINK IN BIO. 😘
#authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #romancenovel #fantasybooks
Open
As a way to revisit all my photography from various travels, I’ve started writing stories to go with them, as well as enhancing the photos with graphic art. The stories re-envision the photograph as a passageway to another time or place. 
#digitalart #nft #fantasyart #fantasybooks #highfantasy #photography
Open
I started making art out of my many photographs from various moments of life. This is my favorite one as of late. 

#photography #nft #disneyworld #disneycastle #graphicart #graphicdesign
Open
Alexa play “Happy Birthday” 🎂🎈
Open
I wrote a book! This is a novel that’s been on my mind for more than 10 years and this winter it finally became a reality. I’ve always loved writing but never thought writing a full length book was the plan, let alone something that could expand into more books! The plan is to explore this world of book publishing together as I figure out the best way to bring this story to life. I’m happy to finally be able to share it with you, even if it’s just the cover for now. It’s been a labor of joy and creativity and I hope you’ll join me as I discover this next “chapter”. 

#newbooks #nytimesbestseller #authorsofinstagram #fantasybooks #romancenovel
Open
There are so many things I could say but all I really need to say is, she’s the best. ✨ Happy Mothers Day
Open
Same night, opposite sides of the sky. #shotoniphone
Open
Happy #nationalpetday to my two girls, Audrey Divine and Rosie Belle!Love them and how much joy they bring. 🐶💞 and my two younger furry siblings Tiffany and Cubby too 💖
  • Back to Top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Stevie Jewel. All Rights Reserved.

Looking for something?