Jacob Collier Explains How He Sees Music as a ‘Wiggle’ Rather Than a Straight Line

During a TED Talk in Vancouver, the incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier told the audience that he sees music as a “wiggle” rather than a straight line, describing the wiggle as the fluid energy connecting melody, rhythm, and harmony. Collier demonstrated the concept using Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”.

Grammy-winning musician Jacob Collier has a name for the feeling that moves through a great piece of music: the wiggle. Watch him break down the idea into its three parts — melody, rhythm and harmony — with nothing but his own voice, a grand piano and Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” Turns out life, like music, was never made to run in straight lines.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.