We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cameron Black a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cameron, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
Being optimistic in today’s world can seem like a difficult task. I mostly perform at weddings and events, and someone once asked, “Don’t you ever get tired of these?” The question completely took me off guard, because it was so easy to answer genuinely, and resoundingly, “No!” I’ve been fortunate enough to realize that I’m pursuing what I was meant to pursue, so playing my instrument never feels like a job. I think of the years spent practicing at home, playing late-night bars and clubs, and performing for hours without pay, and it is easy to feel proud and optimistic today.
Beyond my outlook, my optimism comes from the guests at each event. People are already in high spirits at weddings, celebrations, and corporate events, so when I get the opportunity to lift those spirits higher through music, I always view it as a blessing and a privilege. My biggest inspiration to continue my pursuits and stay positive comes from uplifting others. When I’ve inspired someone to go home and play their favorite instrument, it keeps the whole cycle moving, and that’s very important to me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a full-time saxophonist, working with a wide array of planners, DJs, and companies. I’ve been playing saxophone for over 20 years, and deciding to make the turn to play professionally full-time has been extremely personally rewarding. Each event is something new, and getting to perform with different DJs and different cultural occasions means that no two events sound the same. I love interacting with guests during events, dancing and playing some of my favorite songs, and traveling for music.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the keys to my success as a musician come down to the following, but everybody’s journey is different.
1. Discovery – when I started playing saxophone at 14, I couldn’t get enough of listening to other horn players. Starting with early jazz, I moved to contemporary artists and listened to their techniques as much as possible. This helped me realize what I liked, what I didn’t like, and what I wanted to try that I hadn’t heard before. No man is an island, and we can’t get somewhere new without realizing and appreciating where we’ve been.
2. Dedication – the hardest part about continuing to play after you’ve left school is finding the inspiration to practice without having a sense of direction. Without someone telling you what to do and holding you accountable, it can be very, very difficult to pull inspiration out of thin air. If you’re serious about the craft though, you’ve got to perform for yourself. Music is a way to release energy, good and bad, and if you stick to it every day, it will become a habit. The more good habits you can acquire, the more natural and free your sound will become.
3. Growth – the only true way to grow is to continually push a little bit outside of your comfort zone each day. Learn songs from different cultures, increase your rates if you’ve been working hard, and try techniques you’re still not the best at. If you start getting bored or uninspired by your journey, take a break, you can always return to it. Growth is critical as a musician because the music scene is constantly changing, as well.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The Devil’s Horn by Michael Segell is one that I can’t recommend enough to a sax player. It discusses a new sax player’s approach to the horn throughout the course of a year, and each chapter involves a pearl of wisdom from legends old and new. The book also details the creation of the instrument, in depth. It’s a must-read and a book I will be returning to many times.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.cameron-black.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camblacksax
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ZoNJhXMAoHardokzRyRpg/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/saxmancam/sets/compositions
Image Credits
Main Image: Kylie Hazzard
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