I just started reading Jimmy Webb’s Tunesmith. It is one of the most entertaining and informative books I’ve ever read. It is also one of the slowest, in a good way.
It is slow going for the best of reasons. On every page, as he talks with love and wisdom about the art and history of songwriting, Webb generously sprinkles examples of the craft.
So on any given page, I find myself stopping to listen to at least one great song on YouTube — often by a songwriter I’ve never heard of — and sometimes roaming through one or two Wikipedia articles as well.
All in all, a fantastic and deeply rewarding experience. If all education worked this way, everyone would be a straight A student.