Tapping Universal Harmonics

“The world needs you just as you are.” - Jacob Collier

There are few things I admire more than musical harmonics. By harmonics I mean the magic that occurs when notes played by instruments and/or sung by voices mesh perfectly. By mesh I mean they are in exactly the right combination and relationship with one another - volume, pitch, rhythm, pace, and vibrato. When that happens boundaries dissolve and suddenly everyone and everything (air, instruments, the room, and yes all the cells in all the bodies involved) are in radical agreement - suspended in a moment that is both deeply satisfying and familiar. For as long as the harmony lasts all is right with the world, with ourselves, and with one another. I’ve had this extraordinary experience a few times while singing in a choir but rarely when listening to others and until recently only while attending live performances.

Imagine my surprise then to have experienced it twice while listening to Jacob Collier online. Collier is a multi award-winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and educator. None of the words in that last sentence begin to touch on what Collier does with musical harmonics. To understand, you have to listen. So buckle up:

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. I was captivated by the way the exuberance Collier brought to this collaboration and the way he pulled notes for each of the instruments seemingly out of the air. And the addition of the voices had me a singing along. Can you imagine what it must have felt like to be in that concert hall or sitting in the orchestra?

I get the sense that Collier is reminding us of something essential about ourselves - both in relation to one another and the world at large. I can’t wait to hear what he comes up with next.

To be even more blown away, watch this video explaining and chronicling Jacob’s life. Many thanks to Tizz for finding and sharing it:

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