Jacob Collier Can Spell Out Words with a Piano

James Corden connects with Jacob Collier who is in a rather sacred place: the music room in his family's home where he's written all of his music. James asks Jacob about his meteoric rise from KZbin covers to GRAMMY wins, and Jacob shares how he came to learn how to write messages playing music.
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Each week night, THE LATE LATE SHOW with JAMES CORDEN throws the ultimate late night after party with a mix of celebrity guests, edgy musical acts, games and sketches. Corden differentiates his show by offering viewers a peek behind-the-scenes into the green room, bringing all of his guests out at once and lending his musical and acting talents to various sketches. Additionally, bandleader Reggie Watts and the house band provide original, improvised music throughout the show. Since Corden took the reigns as host in March 2015, he has quickly become known for generating buzzworthy viral videos, such as Carpool Karaoke."

[@jacobcollier]

Thanks so much for having me, James!!!

[@ginariecadiz2018]

Love you Jacob 🥰

[@slypear]

zomg Too awesome

[@chloeanne4473]

Woo!! So excited for you!!

[@mk001]

Thanks Jacob for being here for us all!

[@user-lslv]

Thanks for existing!

[@luxrose7613]

WE DEMAND A CARPOOL KARAOKE WITH JACOB

[@cmtso7409]

Or do u mean the Jacobs?

[@luxrose7613]

@@cmtso7409 omg so genius, having 4 jacobs in the car. I love it!

[@NicoleBieberify]

YESSS

[@guywholikesthesnarkies1435]

@@luxrose7613 James: starts singing* Jacob who has perfect pitch: "Oh wait! Excuse me, but.. you're singing that note 0.125 cents higher than it should be. I mean, I just don't feel quite at ease to hear that note being sung like that. You get it, James?" James: *Yeeted out of reality, never to be seen again**

[@tomvesely4008]

@@guywholikesthesnarkies1435 Jacob would never say that kind of thing...

[@adamcameron4123]

James genuinely sounds like a massive fan of him

[@liz-c39]

I have tears in my eyes over how genuine and appreciative James is being of Jacob and his genius.

[@francescaa8331]

Yes, he really appreciates him I think

[@ayadali9112]

Well duh like he always is with anyone that’s British like him.

[@liz-c39]

@@ayadali9112 no. That isn’t true at all.

[@anniemcdonald6616]

James is a genuine kind of guy I think. And he is a genuine fan of music...the better the music, the fannier he gets. It is one of the most charming things about him.

[@ramofeldduckington6257]

“That took about forty takes to get right.” Oh yeah, he IS a human!

[@King-Vis]

If Jacob needs forty takes to get this right, humans need at least one thousand! He's an alien!😂

[@mannythegoat4463]

@@King-Vis hahaha lol

[@anggiadi1215]

he said that so we wont get so suspicious

[@iqval8929]

nope. he still an alien. human usually give up after 3 attempts haha

[@linktin2562]

The 39 takes before were probably absolutely incredible, and he was just like "not good enough"

[@TheReal4th]

Out of all the amazing things Jacob has done, they're most amazed with spelling out words with midi.

[@mattfalls2328]

I’m not gonna lie I lost my shit when I saw him do it on IG

[@revangerang]

I mean, it even took Jacob 40 times to get it right, so it’s quite a feat (?)

[@MusixPro4u]

@@revangerang Fits the format. You won't see him talking about negative harmony on Late Night TV. Would love to stand corrected, though. :)

[@TheReal4th]

@@revangerang Not really, it's something anybody can do within 1 or 2 hours as long as they're technically proficient on their instrument. Jacob is 100% one of those, but where he truly excels at is his creativity in writing music. The man is a genius, a literal genius. Nobody else has been able to integrate microtonality and all that complex mumbo jumbo into music as well as he is able to, at least for now.

[@revangerang]

@@TheReal4th oh I’m well aware of how amazing Jacob is, but @John Ny is right, it fits the format of late night tv

[@The7thAdam]

I don't think I've ever heard Jacob say he's anywhere other than North London.

[@icedragon9097]

Probably bc he lives in north london

[@hamada9792]

@@icedragon9097 LMAO EXACTLY

[@The7thAdam]

@@icedragon9097 lol! Yeah, but still.

[@experimetalfan8851]

He is ALWAYS in that room

[@birdygosser9812]

He’s actually never left that room

[@joelikesthings]

James sounds like the first person who's known who Jacob is or at least done a lot of research

[@straazz]

Or at least Reggie Watts knew about him and let Mr. Corden in on it. Or lets face it, Quincy and company are probably working some marketing magic, having Jacob Collier on pretty much every major late night show in the US.

[@joelikesthings]

@@straazz there's no doubt that Quincy and Co are helping him get on shows, but of the show's he's been on James seems like the only one who's known of him

[@vivianasantosb]

right! might be bc they are from the uk? whatever reason i love the interaction and recognition

[@KingaSzanto]

James is good friends with Chris Martin, who is friends with JC. So maybe from there as well

[@IntoTheDeepBreathwork]

I also just think James genuinely recognizes and loves good music. He had a moment like that with Sam Smith too where you can just tell that he loves seeing a talented musician do their thing.

[@SidMercutio]

Love that Jacob let him know that midi trick is not his idea

[@edwardjons8684]

He says it’s not his idea in the interview...

[@SidMercutio]

@@edwardjons8684 yes...that’s what I said he said....

[@ploxxybb]

@@edwardjons8684 i think you think everyone is sarcastic....

[@brothermusician4191]

@@edwardjons8684 ...

[@pascalmerschaudio]

a very humble ,based grounded guy

[@onlyrick]

I've been making music for most of my 69 years, and so far Jacob is the most talented person I've seen or heard of. You're seeing something special here.

[@Shs-fx1fi]

from 69 years? ok..i can see that in your dp..

[@glow64]

For me, the talent is the least impressive part. The best thing I love about Jacob is just his excitement and never ending passion for music. It's like no matter what happens, no matter how simple or complex, the guy just loves making music!

[@hamada9792]

what about paul mccartney

[@ninjaaron]

@@glow64 I promise you that I am as excited about music as he is, but that is not the determining factor. Talent matters.

[@glow64]

@@ninjaaron I'll have to disagree. Talent isn't much, if effort isn't put in on a daily basis. Jacob grew up in a musical family, without him constantly practicing/playing/training his music from a young age or having the music background that his family does, it's hard to say we'd see the same performance. For me, effort/time is the determining factor. Also, while there are some things that require talent to get into, I think music is one of those where it actually doesn't take much, the only issue is you often have to start at a young age if you want to really get good at it quickly. There are many things that are much easier to learn at a young age (like music and language).

[@ajrayo]

I would have never thought he'd have that sonorous of a voice. Damn.

[@annabelanisfeld5475]

He deserved this recognition before Djesse 3 but I guess that’s what happens when you start making music in 4/4

[@josealfonso5260]

Lol hahaha i cant wait for Djesse vol. 4. I think I heard him mention itll be "simpler".

[@mattfalls2328]

Lol so true 😂 however, part of me also knows that music is only as good as the listener perceives it to be, and people might feel more of a connection to his more “normal” music. It has more to grab on to for the typical listener

[@manuelavalle7360]

oh, so in order for music to sound good it has to be in 13/17 or something? geez, i love jazz, but the community is so elitist and anoying.

[@simongrant1015]

@@manuelavalle7360 it’s just nice when not all music sounds the same.

[@Roxanneredpanda]

most of his early is in 4/4 and a lot of Djessie vol. 3 is very rythmicly complex. Also he alread has numerous Grammys.

[@briannamattis7454]

CARPOOL KARAOKE WITH “THE JACOBS”! That would be the peak of brilliance! Guitar Jacob in the back, Vocal Jacob up front...aghhhhh this needs to happen!

[@mrbigg151]

He's the ONLY one that I could actually imagine doing that 😂

[@paulzimmermann6711]

I think I've never seen James fanboying so much but I can't blame him

[@alleyway3215]

You've clearly not watched James when his guest is Tom Cruise.

[@sjfoster12]

Lots of people: can’t spell with words Jacob Collier: can spell with music

[@izzi7584]

all this new jacob collier content is dramatically increasing the amount of serotonin i have :))))))

[@SeanFenlon]

OMG am I the only human seeing this that is so relieved to learn that @JacobCollier writing "Happy 2021" on the screen in real-time took 40 takes??? Phewww... I thought he did it in one take :-O He is human :-)

[@mattbuszko]

Yeah, I appreciated that bit of honesty as well

[@meowphistopheles_the_destroyer]

Hahaha! I had the exact same thought.

[@shirleytatha8189]

I was thinking the same thing 😂

[@juliarichter6987]

He did it in one take. In take 40.

[@ricoF71]

When he kinda blurted 'bedidodidububup' the pitch was perfectly in tune when he performed on the keyboard writing the word 'A' and 'Y' that had the diagonal up line that he was explaining about. Talk about Perfect Pitch!

[@matthewcline8580]

jacob's blurt wasnt in any distinguishable key, and it wasn't in tune with anything. either that or I'm losing my perfect pitch :(

[@matthewcline8580]

still the man's the most genius person alive

[@mejincolby]

2:57 the top note he sung is F# but in the song, its C

[@mejincolby]

2:25

[@_sonicfive]

The audience doesn't seem to realize that writing words with midi is very complex. Of course it's a gimmick, but of a genius kind.

[@donsmith3590]

Hate to be that guy, but it's not that hard to figure out how to play, though actually performing it at that speed might be tricky. But, pretty much everything else he does is genius, I'll give you that.

[@isaacvandermerwe744]

Hate to be that other guy, but his use of microtonal harmony is astronomically more complex

[@_sonicfive]

@@isaacvandermerwe744 true. Nonetheless 95% of peoole will applaud the simpler things. Because they are more digestible.

[@buddacreem6877]

@@_sonicfive that’s the thing. From what i’ve seen, Jacob is incredibly smart musically and has many amazing talents, but that’s the more party trick esc thing that people are more likely to enjoy looking at and listening to.

[@coreyaruecker]

@@isaacvandermerwe744 to be fair, I think microtonal harmony is pretty well second nature as where I think this is actually more challenging for him

[@SuzukiKid400]

Jacob’s audio in this interview was the best and clearest audio I’ve ever heard in a video chat. It was clearer than James’!!

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

It’s because he is using a Neumann 87 microphone , which is one of the best studio microphones ever made

[@whothennow24]

“Jacob Collier is here!” No he’s not.

[@hamacaboy]

Seeing james corden being a fan of jacobs proves the world is moving in the right direction

[@polyo4038]

Oh yea because people from privileged families represent the majority right?

[@hamacaboy]

@@polyo4038 thats such a weird comment i dont even know what to reply

[@polyo4038]

You could reply with, “Yea most of us would be music “geniuses” if we were born in musical families and pushed to do music. And had family that paid their way through everything. Might not make the same music but music would become so good that we would have too much to listen to.” Unfortunately that’s not the case and not everyone obtains the guidance this young man was given. Then you could say “it’s still respectable and I like music so I listen.” Just because people are handed something doesn’t make it bad.

[@hamacaboy]

@@polyo4038 well i think you are just blaming your lack of succes and your envy of the success of others on the idea that you did not have ppportunities and that jacob did because he is priviledged econmically. Thats absurd because there arr many rich people who are losers and idiots and mant poor people who are insanely creative and layer succesfull (take most rappers or rock musicians who tebd to be lower income) . So put that in your pipe and smoke it

[@charmaine7301]

@@polyo4038 let's just phrase it as "the right things happen at the right time"....so even if you suck even the right time won't be the right time for you...and Jacob Collier was at the right place at the right time with the right skills...mkay?

[@MazBringsby]

2:32 *THE SILENCE SAYS IT ALL. AUDIENCE WAS NOT HAVING IT.*

[@TheChrismyster1]

because they don't understand what just happened or why its impressive

[@jorrellds6520]

James Cordens accent gets really strong when he's talking to other English folks.

[@BrokenGodEnt]

happens to my uncle when he visits his hometown. his country accent comes on strong. and it also happens to my grandma who's from Illinois. she'll even start using phrases she doesn't usually say. she'll revert back to the "how much do you like?" instead of "need" and she says "you guys" an absolute fuck ton.

[@wabun]

2:37 the audience had no idea why that was so special. 😂

[@Haburg]

Bruh; this guy is 26 looks 18 & am 21 looking like 35 🥲

[@julianmitchell3035]

It's alright, not everyone's Jacob Collier.

[@ricoF71]

That's what genes does to us humans...

[@constantlydrums]

I’m 28 looking like 18

[@nezkeys79]

Prob his tall glass of water and your 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps XD

[@nrvideos641]

Jacob Collier is something from another world. Amazing! Such a great music 🎶 and humble person. God bless you man!

[@noraazemog]

Am very fortunate to have met Jacob, honestly, just one of the greatest humans on earth. Phenomenal musician of course too.

[@jaspastritt1364]

Saw Jacob perform a couple of years ago and was absolutely incredible!

[@WhiskerWhippers]

Dude’s on another level. I first heard of him three years ago when he did that theory video with Herbie.

[@kimraissa7584]

International fans are here

[@shirleytatha8189]

Kenyan here

[@felipemeirelles1816]

I’m not international but national from my own country. ;P

[@spawnterror]

I love when interviewers talk about something they have no idea how it works.

[@klemenfurlan2036]

"Having a tall glass of water to calm myself down."

[@TrueCrimeQueen]

I'm obsessed with these videos! Always watch immediately after uploading 😇❤️

[@muuluzi]

I'm so happy Jacob is getting more recognition!!! He is so talented and wholesome ^^ !!

[@diegovera1353]

Jacob is always dressed like a wizard

[@avocadosauce461]

my respect for james just quadrupled due to how he treated jacob

[@tylermclaughlinmusic]

It’s so cool seeing him get the recognition he deserves! Just the beginning!

[@RetroPlus]

He's surrounded by instruments, I expected nothing less from someone of his skill

[@alexandrasomorovska4414]

..."and I love a challenge..." We're sooo looking forward to all the others... 🙏 (As we are thankful for those we've already witnessed.. )

[@JSK2909]

Such a talent, and fantastic to see someone as talented as this getting the recognition and inspiring so many others to push the boundaries.

[@daybetbeder]

I'm so happy for Jacob! He really deserves all the recognition he's finally getting!!!

[@naratrades]

Thanks God for Jacob

[@allybrett988]

i love him sm

[@aziraphaleluvr]

He's such an idol, I love him so much

[@ChuckWasHere]

Flexing on Marc Rebillet with that robe.

[@smiggsaf4327]

i love how james seems genuinely excited to speak to jacob :)

[@alanisverona6269]

It would be so interesting to watch a Carpool karaoke with Jacob! James, get ready for it!😂

[@KentoSky]

I love James' diction

[@AccentVocal]

This was great 👍

[@teresitauy5532]

Super talented !

[@alanmartinez1025]

Not a fan of his music but hes one of the most talented humans in the world!

[@blehm_7403]

If you dig around he has a bunch of different genres under his discography

[@havardskotterud5674]

@Stee Why do you think he isn't talented? I get that people don't like his music, that's fair, but I find it hard to call him "not talented". What do you mean he is working from code?

[@matthewcline8580]

@Stee what do you mean he's working from code? No human I know is 'coded' to be able to sing quarter tone modulations like Jacob can

[@sophiafake-virus2456]

@Stee Completely wrong. Anyone who likes him knows he spent years in his music room exploring music in his own world. Much later he did a Jazz course and found out there are words for all the things he discovered. Not only that he goes beyond the formal, music theory way of doing things, it's as if he sees no boundaries between concepts. I also don't really like his music as such but he is utterly inspiring and often breathtaking. He has genius.

[@insidechocolatewithjimothy5313]

@@havardskotterud5674 it is an embarrassing statement to say he isn't talented, unfortunately reminds me of some of the rubbish I have said in my younger years. This Young man is a genius and an inspiring one at that!

[@christacardozo7446]

Madness and Kind Genius.

[@aubreywarneck7227]

Two incredibly joyful souls!!!

[@romarioallen4056]

He sung that run so perfectly

[@texas70.32]

James asked very good questions wow!

[@seiji-kun9488]

I have a crush on this man even though I can't comprehend his music that much

[@Yagirlnyesha]

I love Jacob so much

[@linafairy7165]

This show keeps me alive ❤️❤️❤️

[@juliabrown4985]

ugh same

[@johnphilips5095]

Love his accent

[@sibaskyes4168]

I would love to have Djesse Vol.3 on vinyl

[@brylonmorgan2614]

Incredible work Jacob

[@Nedwin]

Finally, Jacob found the linear association between word, code, and note. He innovates music!

[@timothyjuliano]

Jacob: it's, James: *TALK*

[@kapetra]

James surely knows who to invite to his show! 💜 wiiiii

[@kevinbush4300]

James loves Jacob La, la, la-la-la

[@ginariecadiz2018]

🥰🥰🥰🥰 love you Jacob!

[@fromchomleystreet]

I really think he needs to stop calling it “the family music room”. It is clearly JACOB’s music room, whether the family likes it or not. Maybe when he goes on tour they get a chance.

[@polyo4038]

Without his family he’d probably be working retail rn

[@NoThoughtAllFeels]

I love Jacob. What a good guy

[@Ashley.1414]

Bro I love you so much 🥺💯

[@floh2959]

Nice to see Jacob getting some exposure like this

[@noslowerdna]

HAPPY 2021

[@fonwoolridge]

WOW! Ive been a musician for many years - I have to say - that was cool dude!

[@naufaladen2401]

Wow james are so nice in this

[@gustavomartinez4281]

We need a carpool karaoke with Jacob!

[@sabincka]

I am a big fan of him since he was a boy and I have seen his first video then !!!! Amazing talent !! He should doing milion of dolars !!! He deserves it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is multiinstrumentalist and sings incredible !!!!!!!! Run the world Jacob !! Your Music is sooooo goooood

[@myelectioneering]

When a man says it took 40 takes it really took 40 takes.

[@pianoproductions9059]

Man can probably write a Pulitzer prize winner on that thing 🎹🔥

[@thiromao]

My favorite person in the world right now.

[@wilmanorman330]

💕The 💕 most💕 incredible 💕fascinating 💕human! 💕

[@hakeemahmadjamal7403]

I was just chilling you know

[@sirikalvik]

"I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or scream so I did a combination of the three....and then I harmonized them"

[@jasonlapierre]

At 2:11 I thought he was going to say play in half sharp key signatures lol

[@JazzyFuriousDestroyer]

Everything's all fun and games until you use a vertical piano roll

[@user-vp4wh9ks7u]

oh he's so cute he looks so happy

[@flatpancake6412]

I LOVE u jacob

[@elizeitlin5111]

do carpool karaoke! with Jacob collier

[@Robocop-qe7le]

This guy is from another planet.

[@sebb6011]

Love Jacob but what are those headphones I need to know

[@sanjayyethipathi]

now go watch jacob mann's one minute jazz interview

[@MariaGoJa]

He is from the future or from a higher dimension. That’s how I feel about him. Or maybe he is just one of the few people using more potential of their brain. 🌈 💎 ..... I got the same headphones btw and I love it

[@RandomVideos4U]

To anyone with perfect pitch: how do u know what intervals sound good together? We can all hear if it’s a clash once it’s been played, but cuz u can hear stuff in your head, do u just know without thinking what is in a key and what’ll fit the piece you’re writing?

[@CrimsonRegalia]

He's wearing AKG K701's

[@xymatax9758]

Jacob is best

[@witxeynobre7306]

Jacob is a masterpiece from Heaven! What a creature!

[@EngineMusic]

to think savant drawing a bird, caused a butterfly effect leading to jacob collier playing one in real time

[@davidfoua3875]

Djesse Vol. 3 : Album Of The Year !

[@blueapple7988]

2:11 If you wanna go straight to the clip

[@MalachiVereen]

Yeeet!!🌟🌟

[@JloBroOFFICIAL]

Little do we know, the midi notes in songs we listen to could have subliminal messages

[@jfvs1988]

Yeah man, totally

[@oramariri]

He is a musical experience