The one habit that made me a better musician

Howdy! In public school they almost taught me to read, and today I wanted to share some of my favorite books for musicians and creators that I think will actually have a real impact on your workflow and life.
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▼▼▼ The Books ▼▼▼
Essentialism: amzn.to/3KVMiuo
F**k It, Do What You Love: amzn.to/3LqEG4N
The Art Of Impossible: amzn.to/3V6SSDk
Show Your Work: amzn.to/3V51NVR
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows: amzn.to/3L50qlf
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▼▼▼ Timestamps ▼▼▼
0:00 Soundgym
0:31 Books and stuff
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[@VenusTheory]

I'm back y'all! Go out and do you some book lernin' this week. 📢 Soundgym ► soundgym.co/?aff=9058 ▼▼▼ The Books ▼▼▼ Essentialism: amzn.to/3KVMiuo F**k It, Do What You Love: amzn.to/3LqEG4N The Art Of Impossible: amzn.to/3V6SSDk Show Your Work: amzn.to/3V51NVR The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows: amzn.to/3L50qlf

[@tomtabak]

I have the utmost respect for your musical skills and your character (still do, ofc) so i decided to give these books a go. I have to say that I'm deeply disappointed with The Art of Impossible. Sentences like "[play is] the nature's way of instructing us in morality" indicate that the author has no issues with giving statements on things he either doesn't fully understand or he purposefully dumbs down to the point they are factually wrong; he kind of does the exact thing i hoped he wouldn't-little to no arguments, self referencing and "trust mes" buried in authority and scientific lingo. The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows is brilliant-I've been a fan for a few years now!

[@HeathClose]

Wonderful suggestions, thank you for this. Do you have an order to these if I wanted to read them all? Where would you start if you read them again?

[@Elriri]

Soundgym link is not working :

[@oneshotgangsta]

Thank you for this! Your videos make me continue to believe in myself even when it is extremely hard! I appreciate you and your work!

[@christopherecatalano]

After watching this, every suggestion you have made is on my radar. I went through a similar thing you talk about regarding your last suggestion. It was Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero With a Thousand Faces”. It took forever to get through because I was not ready to process so many of the ideas. When I went away from it, and returned weeks or months later some learning or experiences I had been through allowed me to go deeper into it. It is one you might like.

[@drigrid]

How Music Works, by David Byrne, changed my perspective on a lot of things. Creativity, and what sound does to your head and how.

[@jimshannononsounds]

David Byrne is the Goat in his niche.

[@HankTVsux]

Talking heads guy?

[@Kumie]

Yes! This book really inspired me.

[@jonathanlundquist5845]

​@@HankTVsuxyep that guy

[@smkh2890]

One critic compared it to having your ears syringed. You just hear music differently after.

[@Jesiahjesiah]

Oblique Strategies is a deck of cards developed by Brian Eno. Each card has a short prompt to help overcome a creative hurdle. Something like, "make the melody the rhythm" or "emphasis the flaws". I've found it incredibly helpful with music, as it was designed, but also spookily insightful with any creative endeavor or life obstacle. I'm not woowoo, but it's as close as I'll get to tarot or whatever😅 Also my partner swears by The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron.. maybe the only woman author in this thread, and it's been in print for decades.

[@platinummonster9755]

It's also a free app (on android, at least).

[@SongOfItself]

I found them a mixed bag. Many are rather cryptic ("Cluster analysis") or generic to the point of meaninglessness ("Courage!"), and that gets annoying quickly. But there's one among them that's really genius in how it hits home: "How would you have done it?" When I'm completely stuck (which is most of the time, lol), I can look at what's in front of me as if somebody else did it, and suddenly it becomes much easier to see what I do and don't like about the thing. It's a magic question to ask.

[@haynescommabrooke]

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Art & Fear, and The Tao of Pooh are all staples that have dramatically changed my approach to creativity and spirituality (which definitely go hand in hand). I still face blocks sometimes caused by fear, perfectionism, comparison, doubt, etc., but man I’ve really come a long way & am finding much more joy in my creative work these days, like I did when I was a kid again

[@mlamulinzimande]

Another book I would suggest is Deep Work by Cal Newport. It's similar to Essentialism. It talks about the phenomenon of engaging in deep work, and how to get into "the flow" of deep work through removing all distractions and narrowing your focus to achieve significant results.

[@marozela]

Ayy are you from Southa?

[@mlamulinzimande]

@@marozela Fede? Born and raised my guy. I'm in JHB. Wena?

[@marozela]

@@mlamulinzimande aweee im Swati though dawg...born and raised in Manzini...I just peeped your and figured you're most likely Nguni

[@yashark1893]

Yes, a life changing book for me. Another impactful one is "Four Thousand Weeks" written by Oliver Burkman. I hope you check it out and enjoy as much as i did.

[@Man0fMetal]

Awesome book.

[@viridianloom]

I wrote a song called Aubadoir based off the same word in the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. It perfectly described this lonely feeling of being up at like 5am with the dark blue morning light beginning to creep in around the window. The track I was writing was kind of dark "etherealwave" and about insomnia, so it felt like a perfect fit.

[@christopherecatalano]

I know that light all too well. Also insomniac😵‍💫😜

[@mannmusica]

The creative: A way of being by Rick Rubin is a masterpiece of inspiration and practical advice

[@CanadianUnicornDeathSquad]

I’ve been loving my time with that book. It’s one of few books that have actually tickled my brain in just the right way.

[@kekamirza]

I'm dying to read this book. But it's not available in my country.

[@vincedulay5751]

Mastery by Robert Greene is also a great read for artist and career as a whole.

[@buckycore]

Reading in general helps with creativity as well. I'm talking reading fiction.Reading fiction develops your ability to visualize (with all five senses) and Empathy, as you're inside the head and experience a world view people who aren't like you. Also, well researched fiction can help educate you on various topics, such as history and the inner workings of different professions. And this will make a deeper impact because it's in the context of connecting with living through these characters rather than being "informed" through standard textbook teaching. All of which augments creativity in all the mediums in billions of ways. I know this might be so stupidly obvious to some, but it's still an important reminder to those who may not have thought about this before I didn't mean to take away from the topic of Cameron's finely curated list though. These are brilliant books, and these latest videos are some of the most amazing videos ever

[@GalaxiaDeFavio]

I stop reading a fiction book now I will continue thanks!

[@smkh2890]

"...then a sight she'd never seen made her jump and say "Look, a golden winged ship is passing my way" And it really didn't have to stop. It just kept on going And so castles made of sand Slips into the sea eventually" That's a Hendrix lyric that comforts me for my lack of success as an artist. I have seen it from close up and seen it pass me by. So you find another way to define success for yourself, like I brought up my kids well, I looked after my parents, I never damaged anybody. I can feel happy some days.

[@evanmscala]

I think a key thing this list is missing is that reading good fiction is a subtle but equally potent lightning bolt to creative receptors in our brains. I’ve personally been chewing through Gravity’s Rainbow (and it’s companion book with relevant references and explanations to the plot) and I have never felt so effortlessly inspired and creatively invigorated by everything around me. Masterful works of narrative imagination - especially when deftly melded with very real events and themes from reality - change the way we view everything, and the subconscious manner in which it shapes our brains compulsions feels perhaps even more potent than prescriptive nonfiction

[@kroh]

agree, especially helpful for writing lyrics. learning to love the feel of good words helped me so much

[@ATolerableQuietude]

Yes, this makes a lot of sense. If you're stuck on your work, reading more ... about work ... can sometimes feel like the wrong thing. Reading really good fiction does help us get out of our own heads, gives us someone else's perspective on the world. Good poetry does this too!

[@bronaghtadhg]

I took a songwriting course in college, and one of the things the prof talked about a lot was that reading, in general, was so important for songwriting because it "fills your creative well".

[@CRASS2047]

I had a strange period where after years, I was finally getting really good and loving the music I was making, my financial life took a downturn and I suddenly felt too guilty to spend time making music. I took off from music for a year, until my financial situation was better. Now that I’m back making music, I’m so behind where I was. I’m frustrated, don’t feel inspired, and cannot create anything I like. I regret taking that year off. I’m not giving up, I know it will take a lot of time to get back to where I was.

[@oneshotgangsta]

There's a reason you started and got good at music in the first place, my guy. When it sucks, like a lott, don't forget that you're doing it for the music and for yourself!

[@ZmiguelzteixeiraZ]

I feel you my friend!

[@spronga3305]

less of a book suggestion and more of a literature suggestion: read more fiction. i cannot stress enough how informative fiction can be through it's storytelling, but also how great fiction novels are at sparking inspiration for a new creative project of your own

[@DavidPalmer_blinder]

stop thinking in terms of outcomes, and just enjoy the experience of doing the thing you love. everything else is just gravy on the cake! oh yeah and remember what the Buddhists teach us: practice not having expectations :D

[@peterelfman]

I was gifted The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows a few years ago. I 100% corroborate everything you said about it. I will also add that it can sometimes be triggering if someone is going through an emotional struggle while perusing the pages.

[@Morroh]

Books are the cheat codes for our life. While a video can present you with propositional knowledge visually tailored by its creator, books force you into mental participation where the words on the page are transformed by the readers imagination. Rather than just absorbing the information, you play with it. The knowledge and experience in it become unique to the reader.

[@Waroxe]

such a healthy atmosphere comes out of this video, it's incredible! these kind of videos on book recommendations are some of my favorite videos, thank you so much for your sharing and your energy! can't wait to read them! :)

[@statiksky1]

Adam Savages "Every tool is a hammer " is a great read. Every time I picked up the book to started reading. I got the urge to put the book down and go create something. Loved it.

[@_icarus_two]

Came here to recommend this one. Great book.

[@Elixirmusiques]

Personnally, I got a lot out of Zen in the art of archery. In its essence, it boils down to avoid to focus on a result but rather to focus entirely on the different aspects of the task at hand, one at a time with full attention. Great suggestions, Cameron!

[@Max10_B]

Not really a book but a blog I have read weekly for literally years often based around creativity, writing, music, poetry, spirituality, human nature is the marginalian. Has a search bar too. Used to be called brainpickings. Has even helped me through some rough times. Also enjoy books published by the school of life. Easy quick reads and pick them up from time to time

[@CaptainJack2048]

This is good stuff... I've always found it hard to create because of that nagging fear that I'm not any good or can't make anything good. Even with positive feedback from others, it's hard to quiet those voices. What's worse, I procrastinate on my projects by buying more gear. As soon as I get that new compressor, or mic preamp, or better cables, or a different keyboard, I can finally get started. Anything that helps me get out of the headspace and back into making is welcome, thank you.

[@billweir1745]

I'm currently reading "Chatter" by Ethan Kross that deals with your inner voice and how it can hold you back or completely cripple you. Definitely a good read for dealing with that.

[@bobbriggs-firmin1560]

Hi Jack, I sometimes simply pick a sound out of LABS from Spitfire, pick a few notes out and often it starts to form into something interesting. It's not the gear, it's the sounds that fall on our ears. I should know, I've always been on a very tight budget, so much so that all of my sounds are from free sources and so are any plug-in devices I have. Go back to earlier stuff that you have done and compare the progress you have made. I bet some of it is funny because it was over complicated, waaaay too long or extremely niece. All the same good ideas are most likely there just a bit abused by lack of knowledge that you are now in possession of. Self-doubt is a pain in the butt, don't give in to it and just enjoy creating instead of worrying.

[@bobbriggs-firmin1560]

Niece? I meant not quite there.

[@konamax9]

There are very few KZbinrs that I watch their videos all the way through. You are one of them. Always insightful and enjoyable to watch. And even though I am a synth nerd, I feel like many of your videos have a lot to offer people of all creative areas. I’ll be adding these books to my reading list. Thank you for making inspiring content!

[@imlxh7126]

I can't recommend "The Sound of the Machine" by Karl Bartos highly enough. If you don't know who he is, you might know a certain band he was in for a while called Kraftwerk...and if you don't know Kraftwerk, you know a LOT of people who ripped off Kraftwerk to varying extents. Seriously, his attempt at recreating a beat from a 60s British rock record with an analog drum machine ended up becoming THE beat of 90s hip-hop for a while, Miami Bass especially. Karl goes into detail about his own creative process on some of Kraftwerk's best-known songs, which to me feels like learning some sort of deep, forbidden musical lore.

[@rebeccaschade3987]

"The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" is a mixed bag. It starts out quite good, but the farther in you get, the more it becomes clear that the author may still be a little bit too young to have the kind of insight needed to write the kind of book that it's supposed to be.

[@kelvynification]

The interesting thing is that one should allow oneself to not do anything… the trick is not to feel guilty about it. If your flow is to just be with no goals and you are fine with that then you have reached your happy place. Other peoples active lives should not be a negative mirror to ones inactivity.

[@manatee_flips6811]

IMO, best way to be an artist, you must live like an artists, gritty, on the edge, fringe. Then, Magic happens. Doesn’t have to be drugs, parties, sex, it can be simply taking a chance by talking to someone you noticed and were curious about them, you never knows what can happen. The advice on minimalism is to the heart, good luck fellow creators!

[@philipernst9515]

Tao Te Ching is so good for minimalism as well, which can also be applied to music pretty well to me. Trusting your intuition and not be misguided by fear while making stuff. Try something, don’t be afraid to suck at it :)

[@StereographicTV]

I think books like these are great, the main issue though I have with many of them though is they lean too much towards 'business' and the 'corporate world'. Essentialism did this I think - I enjoyed it until it started using every example from corporate companies, 'successful' CEO's etc

[@VIRALBEATS360]

Great selection. You are going to be a really cool old guy, in your later years. I'm glad you posted this because it reminded me of a book that I need to read, but forgot the title. Thank you, mustache man! 🙏

[@Kumie]

The Practice by Seth Godin…really anything by Seth Godin…gets me motivated and working.

[@colehetzel5003]

it's interesting how changing the title made me watch the vid

[@MatthewSwasta]

I am afraid of the first book. 🙄 I have a really cool job, like really cool (I work for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Restoration/Preservation Unit) I basically hate the job! I mean, it has the potential to be an extremely rewarding career, but the job has actually changed since I started 10 years ago. In the meantime, I never have received the training that I was originally promised and have struggled to grow. I adapt well, but many of the aspects of why I took the job simply don't exist anymore. I am a hobbyist musician and I love creating songs and learning about composition and production. I have so many ideas on the back burner and therein lies my problem. The job pays for everything I could need, and yet keeps me from putting in the time I really want to use to put the work in on songwriting and composition. (my life is a run-on sentence) I will most likely take a good look at these books.

[@weltering]

@smithsonian problem solved

[@SILICONELAKE]

Great video. I found "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin an absolutely amazing read - despite having no real interest in the music he's produced, it is a superb book that I will be re-reading for many years to come.

[@willyum3108]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Rubin_production_discography

[@OriginalRaveParty]

I've tried with books, but it just doesn't work. I order them on Day 1 when I'm really motivated to read them. They arrive on Day 3 and go directly to the bookshelf where they sit forever. I've learned that the knowledge never leaps from the book into my head from the bookshelf, no matter what.

[@bpossible]

You’re describing the instructions for being happy. Do what excites you the most to the best of your ability until you can take it no further. And no assumption as to what the outcome should be. Keep creating.

[@dexime]

Fuck it, do what you want - it's your life and it's short. So yeah, fuck it. Why would you not do what you like? I had many really shitty jobs, but always looked ahead trying to find a job I would love. July 1 I have my 25 year jubilee at the same job in IT, and I fucking love every day of it. Zero regret. I made my (one of them) hobby('s) my job. Don't settle for less, keep looking forward. You can do it too!

[@A-Z0-9463]

TUTORIAL ON HOW YOU PROCESS YOUR VOICE WILL BE GREATLY GREATLY APPRECIATED...

[@tylerlannan5935]

Man, of all the production channels I follow yours is without question my absolute favorite. It's great to get the tips, tricks, and technical bits for sure, but you're one of the very few that talks about the mental and philosophical side of making music and being a creative. I really love these ones. Thanks mustache man!

[@jasonfnorth]

“A little bit of enhanced reality” 😂

[@dgsoundCA]

I think you did such a great summary of the books that I really don't need to read them anymore..

[@billweir1745]

That's not a great idea.

[@dgsoundCA]

@@billweir1745 you're right, I just wanted to emphasize Cameron's talent of sharing his ideas, thoughts and concepts with the community.

[@billweir1745]

@@dgsoundCA Fair enough! A lot of people really do believe a cliff notes version is suitable though, which is unfortunate because you really miss a lot of the meat of what's actually being said.

[@exyl_sounds]

I read Essentialism last week and it’s completely changing my life

[@Synic42]

I've read Essentialism after you showed it in one of your videos and it has helped me stay focused on what's important through some very tough situations. It helped making difficult decisions a lot easier and getting my life back on track a lot quicker. It basically describes a lot of things I already thought and did, adds more principles to it and combines it into a way of living your life I can totally get behind. I'm now reading it a second time and I'm fully commited to becoming an essentialist.

[@DerekPower]

Books I read and that aided me in being creative: Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp

[@jenna2431]

I would add the market mindset around the arts has been a detriment in that if one can't "monetize" why bother, but then we also now see rampant depression, loneliness, and a host of other issues that are known to lessen when people are creative in any way. The "outsider" the not-formally-trained are pushed further and further to the margins by the whole " I'm not an expert" belief.

[@IsaiahGrande]

This kind of content are why your channel stands out to me. The music world needs this kind of positive, thoughtful information to make is better. Thanks

[@fiero_sound]

I've already finished Essentialism and Art of Impossible, and I want to thank you for mentioning them in the older video. Great read, very inspiring!

[@danbient]

I'd add the new Rick Rubin book....its very inspiring and in little easy chunks.

[@oryxandcake2011]

I love life lessons (the ones I've learnt for myself). So here's a couple that a relevant. 1. If you really want to do something you will do it. 2. There will always (and I mean always) be an excuse, so don't think, just do. Thinking is one of the biggest motivation killers, so leave the thinking for the creative process and leave it out of the motivation process.

[@paulhazel]

Rick Rubin - The Creative Act Twyla Tharp - The Creative Habit Hugh Macleod - Ignore Everybody

[@jezzakanezza]

Your authenticity always shines through Cameron, and that means a whole lot in a sea of videos on this platform. Thankyou for showing your true self to us!

[@di4352]

The dictionary of obscure sorrows is a badass book. Once read, never forgotten.

[@mvrkosvudade5202]

I think this idea the first video of "artist recommending books to artists" where I genuinely want to read each one of the recommendations

[@nikitosha1000]

Since I started watching your videos, I got a growing feeling that you forged the formula for a content I really need. Everything works great - voice, script, topic, background music. Thank you, Cameron! You inspire me to get out there, and make something awesome.

[@Asmuk]

Thanks for this video and the suggestions. It somehow struck a cord inside me.

[@Brokeninc]

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rickk Rubin

[@EvelynnMommy]

eckhart tolle the power of now

[@Synic42]

"Vanity metrics", I think those two words expertly sum up the essentials of contemporary social media.

[@roncoots3800]

After 50 yrs of writing/playing music , it still gives me endless joy, because I have nothing to do with the idiot vipers nest that is the music industry. When you put the dirty baseless activity of money into to creativity, you destroy it.

[@SimonePhoenix]

👆🏽THIS, emphatically.

[@levirphillips]

It's the opening show title names that keep me coming back 😂 loving all the content that comes out of this channel. As a struggling creative on a cycle of imposter syndrome relapses I find the content empowering and inspiring. Hard to say this of many places on the internet...🎉

[@trentonkrzyzowski6778]

Learning more in general has advanced me as a creative much more than practice. Practice is important, we need the skill necessary to effectively express ourselves, but becoming a fan of culture and generally making myself smarter and more educated has provided me more reference points to build on creatively and compare my work to. Doing this is how we can make effective, relevant, and impactful art. If we just focus on practice we're going to come off as ignorant and narcissistic. Think about how stupid it would be to practice guitar without knowing basic chords or how to use a pick. You'd be wasting your time. But, there's no limits to this. One must never stop learning and expanding their awareness, it gives them that much more new input to build on which allows new skills and creative discoveries to be cultivated extended from this increased awareness. Creativity is a constant collaboration with the greater community and universe. We didn't want to make music until we heard someone else playing music, right? Of course, we wouldn't even know what music is otherwise. Don't lose that impetus. Allow your curiosity to flourish and your creativity will flourish.

[@johnhricko8212]

Love you man! You are so multidimensional in so many ways... Artist, teacher/communicator, producer... (do you do voice work?) The book list looks great. - thank you! I studied electronic music in 78, in bands, music repair shop in SF... you know your stuff!

[@ceekei_]

Just want to say thank you for always going deep into the ideas you want to share with us. I'm sure I'm not the only one your videos resonate heavily with, but you've single-handedly gotten me out of several ruts in my musical creativity. I'll be sure to give each one of these books a read, thank you for the list!

[@dest5449]

hy what u think about Rick Rubin books

[@impolitikful]

95% fluff. Just a western interpretation of Zen Buddhism.

[@tomkillsjerry]

i have all of these but The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows just ordered it. Cam coming in clutch again

[@FiRezfps]

11:32 The Art Spirit by Robert Henri is amazing. I lost count how many times I've read it. It's focused towards visual arts but I think many of its lessons are applicable to any creative medium

[@not.ariiii]

I know it's gonna sound weird but I have tried reading books before, not my vibe. I know everybody says to read books to gain knowledge but trust me when I read I feel bored after the first page, I don't know I feel like I don't have that much patience to go through the whole book to gain knowledge, I am more like "If you get stuck only then you search for answers" type of guy.

[@rafaelnemeralonso3805]

Any Clarice Lispector book will bring an extremely incredible vision of life!

[@watchaddicts1213]

Nice book list! 2 things: 1. Was glad to see the PUP get his LOVE in the video. The build-up to that scene made for some nice dramatic tension (will pup or won’t pup be attended to). Satisfying! moments thee! 2. Now that I have RE-installed Synthmaster2 (And dragged down the 84,000 Presets), MAN!!! I sun it up like this: ‘U-he…I DO Hope ZEBRA 3 is gonna be a Mind-bender bender, CUZ…SM2 is A-MAZING-both interns of its Sonics, as well capabilities- prowess! You guys may need to have a little L@@K at your competition.’ Anyway, all thanks to your Sjynthmaster Rediscovered video. Thanks

[@jonathanmain59]

Im in the position where I have work to share and people telling me its great but other responsibilities (uni and the fact that what I create isn't linked to my degree) that make me feel guilty for working on these other things or actually genuinely should be spending my time on work instead like now during assessment period. The recent passing of a friend and creative has taught me that there's absolutely no time like the present and yet even that hasn't out right motivated me. I can only conclude that I need one of these books aha

[@aptudo]

"vanity metrics" - great term. thanks for another deep one.

[@alobassmann]

This is a very interesting video. I feel like the list is very personal and in my case, the books that helped me the most, aren't necessarily related to music/creativity, but rather books that helped me overcome personal barriers. Books like "Outliers" - Malcom Gladwell: "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life" - Wayne Dyer; and "Brain Rules" - John Medina, are books that profoundly changed my outlook on the world and helped me work around my own limitations. The biggest lesson out of all of these was "Nothing is set in stone, you can change and influence your reality to a larger degree than you realize"

[@crishimdnb]

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin is Golden

[@michaelbishop.]

If you’re struggling with aspects of creativity, perhaps write about your journey; if enough people pay for it you may become successful at being a failure, but in a good way.

[@lexgblack]

These are great suggestions, I'll add another one that I really love: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. It's similar to Essentialism but with an added dose of what to do with your existential dread.

[@kalmarnagyandras]

Alan Fletcher - The Art of Looking Sideways

[@compucorder64]

Good choices. One book I'd recommend is The Musician's Way: A Guide to Practice, Performance, and Wellness by Gerald Klickstein. It's intended audience is traditional instrumental or vocal musicians. And it sets out to help them form healthy and creative approaces and mindset in instrumental practice. But like all great books, it applies to almost any highly creative human act. My oddball book choice would be The Zen Teaching of Huang Po and the Transmission of Mind. Some of the key themes it discusses are escaping distractions in order to pay full attention to the important point. You could think of it like the radical great ancestor of modern books like Essentialism.

[@DavidSmith-ne1zp]

Dang, another video reinforcing how valuable you are to the creative folks out here in youtube land. I now have sone books to investigate! Thanks Cameron.

[@HoofCreaition]

Because of how you explain and introduce this information.. I have now ordered 3 e-books just based on that. And I kind of know that it is valuable. Thanks man.

[@JonathonChilders]

The Practice: Shipping Creative Work by Seth Godin is one of the best books I’ve read in this vein. Very inspirational. I’d also suggest Someday is Today by Matthew Dicks. Dicks’ book goes to some heavy extremes with time management but got me thinking hard about all the time I can waste in a day and all the small chunks that can be recaptured. Great stuff! I think I heard about both of these books on Brian Funk’s excellent “Music Production Podcast”

[@JonathonChilders]

Thanks for this video! Self improvement through reading has been something I’ve focused on in the last year. Great to hear some more suggestions.

[@thesoundsofsettling]

The 'Hell yea' or 'no' philosophy is by Derek Sivers. Has a whole book on it. I totally recommend it, and his book, Anything You Want. He founded CD baby, and when he sold it for $22million, he donated all the money to charity for music education

[@jeramiahrossnz]

nice bro, this was a good video, yeah, success for me is writing a good song I like and waking up happy to want to work on it and finishing it, the rest is up to everyone else what they think about that. I've been in that sports statistical numbers game before in the past, racking up cool points in that perception game, but yeah, i know myself well enough to know that's just a spotlight, and you can only see a little bit in there metaphorically, long story short before I hit the TLDR, be the tide, allow it to rise and fall, its ok when you can surf, and its ok to just chill on the beach :)

[@impolitikful]

Zen mind beginner mind was very good

[@musmerized658]

Found your channel right when I needed it. Love this type of content specially when I’m feeling unmotivated. It really helps me get back on track. Keep up the great work!

[@christofthedead]

A book named essentialism that has absolutely nothing to do with essentialism. I love how minimalist that is.

[@luizfreitag]

Cameron, your work has been really really important and insightful for me! thanks and keep going.

[@jenna2431]

Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen talks about how art (basically, creative acts) change the neuroplasticity in the brain. Making art makes it easier to make more art.

[@user-us5ii8kd3d]

I’m studying music at college and I just hope I’m not wasting my time and can one day make music

[@Kanthon]

May I suggest “Every Tool's a Hammer” by Adam Savage? I really enjoyed it a lot.

[@EnsignAudio]

Adam Savage is great. I didn’t know he wrote a book. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@maomallows]

I do see the benefits in reading. But I'm really not a book person. I rarely read anything other than KZbin descriptions and the like. I do hope this video reaches the people who need it.

[@slowpike]

... darn, reading... yeahhh. I have you the hidden weapon, Mustasch Man, so where im going, i don't need books 😊 I wish my brain was at least just a tiny fraction normal functioning. Learning is really really reaaaally hard for my brain. But i learned there a lot of books that can help you 👍

[@howtoeattv]

Very dope list. To get motivated about your craft, A Practicing Mind. Also, a Million Miles in a Thousand Years is the most inspiring storytelling book I've read.

[@smkh2890]

Here's an addition to the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows: The German word kummerspeck means excess weight gained from emotional overeating. Literally, grief bacon.

[@nadinedemacedo]

I never read a book about songwriting, production or creativity. I'm too scared that they change my process that is quite different from the most artists I talked to. Should I give them a try?!

[@RinnRuannan]

A book I've read five times over some thirty years is Brian Eno and the Vertical Colour of Sound. While not a dictionary, the reading of it has affected me differently each time. Wonderful examples, and topic, here. Thank you.

[@romanwestenholtz4396]

I purchased The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows- it is amazing and 22 Pages in Maru Mori the man who gave Neruda a pair of socks and Neruda wrote Ode to My Socks...Neruda is one of me favorite poets and The Book of Questions is inspirational I have given this book to several people and they all come up with their favorite Question and they are all different in the choosing- If you have not read it you should put on your reading Bucket List!!!

[@didgegirl6]

Thank you Cameron. This sounds like a great list. I had a copy of Show Your Work at one time and loved it. Maybe it's time for a re-read.

[@valonqar_]

For all the philosophical lads and ladies... Give Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy a go. It's a humourous sci-fi fiction, but low-key philosophical. Focuses on absurdist philosophy and encourages maybe not taking life in general so seriously. Have fun with your music/creative endeavours, that's why we started right?

[@Gabriel_Mercado]

I love this video. I’ve been forced to step away from music due to life endeavors. However I’ve been filling that time with studying 50cent and Robert green. Reading the 48 laws of power and the 50th power. Such great reads and powerful lessons to learn in life. Reality is a difficult pill to swallow but I intend to see the world for what is it to have better control in all aspects of my life, including creativity.

[@CybreSmee]

Might look like the lead singer in a Trotsky tribute band, but some damn good advice there.

[@JureJerebic]

Cool, added a bunch of these to my Audible, thanks!