Nerves, Confidence, and What I Still Struggle With...

Simon Sammut
Sep 18
3 min read

Real Talk About Performing—and What Helps

Hi there, back again after a short summer break!

Let’s get real, even after decades of performing, I still get nervous before stepping on stage. Whether it’s an intimate jazz trio set or a full-scale musical theatre production, there’s always a moment, usually right before the first note, when my stomach flips.

And you know what? That’s normal. In fact, it might even be necessary.

The Myth of the "Fearless Musician"

There’s a popular idea that great musicians are fearless on stage. That confidence is just something you’re born with. But in my experience, and in many conversations with seasoned performers, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Most of us feel nerves. The difference is in how we respond to them.

What Stage Nerves Feel Like (For Me)

It can range from mild tension to a full internal monologue: Will I remember that transition? What if the groove slips? Did I double-check my signal chain? Sometimes my hands feel a bit colder. My focus narrows. My breath shortens.

The key, I’ve learned, is not to fight it, but to manage it.

What Helps (and Still Helps)

Here are a few things that work for me. I still use these today:

1. The Breath Reset

Before every show, I take five slow, deep breaths, inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for six. It’s simple, but it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and calms the body.

2. Reframe the Sensation

Instead of saying, "I’m nervous," I tell myself, "My body’s getting ready to perform." That adrenaline? It’s energy. That quickened heartbeat? It’s your system waking up. Framing it as readiness instead of fear makes a difference.

3. Micro-Focus

When the pressure builds, I zoom in: focus on the first few bars. One phrase. One groove. I don’t worry about the whole setlist, just getting into flow.

4. Pre-Gig Rituals

I usually go over a short warm-up passage I know inside out. Nothing flashy, just something that reminds my hands, “You know what you’re doing.”

5. The Three C’s: Cool, Calm, and Collected

Something I picked up years ago and now do almost subconsciously: I remind myself to stay cool, calm, and collected. Not just on stage, but in everyday life too. It’s a mental anchor that brings me back to centre when things feel chaotic.

What I Still Struggle With

There are gigs where things don’t go smoothly. A monitor mix is off. A cue gets missed. Or I simply feel off. In those moments, self-doubt can creep in.

What I’ve learned is to not judge the whole performance by a moment. And even more importantly, not to judge myself by one off night.

Confidence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about trusting yourself to recover, adapt, and keep the music moving forward.

A Few Science-Backed Techniques (That Actually Work)

In case you're curious about the research side of this, here are three techniques backed by studies on performance anxiety:

Box Breathing (4-4-4-4) used by musicians and athletes to regulate nerves. Reduces cortisol, improves focus.
Visualisation – mentally rehearsing a performance helps the brain and body feel more prepared. Studies show lower heart rate and smoother execution.
Power Posing (yes, really) – holding an open, upright posture for 2 minutes before performance has been shown to boost testosterone and reduce stress hormones. You don't have to believe in it, just try it.

Your Turn

Next time you feel nervous before a show, or even just before recording something, or speaking in front of an audience, don’t beat yourself up. Try one of these tools. Or simply sit with the feeling and let it pass through you.

You’re not alone. Even the pros get shaky hands. What matters is what you do with that energy.

If this resonated, hit reply and tell me how you deal with stage nerves. I’d love to include some of your tips in a future issue.

Until next time, breathe deep, stay Cool, Calm, and Collected, and play on.

Simon