Why the best music never moves in a straight line
In short: Grammy-winning musician Jacob Collier explores the concept of the wiggle, a sensation he identifies within great musical compositions. By deconstructing melody, rhythm, and harmony using his voice, a piano, and a classic jazz standard, he illustrates how music reflects the non-linear nature of life.
Collier uses Louis Armstrong’s 'What a Wonderful World'—penned by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss—to demonstrate his theory. He argues that the essence of musical movement is found in the wiggle, a quality that defies rigid, straight-line progression.
The presentation, recorded at TED2026 on April 14, 2026, serves as a masterclass in musical intuition, suggesting that the complexity of human experience is mirrored in the way sound waves interact and evolve.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Wiggly Wonder of Music | Jacob Collier | TED
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/ideas-the-wiggly-wonder-of-music-jacob-collier.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Philosophy · More in Ideas & Philosophy · Latest · A–Z · All topics
