Every once in a while, we have to geek out over the INSANE music Jacob consistently keeps putting out. This one was a beautifully subtle example of that. Hey, ALSO- New free sneak peek at course material drops TODAY, so if you want to check that out, go here- cornellmusicacademy.com/blackfriday If you don't catch today's email don't worry because I'll be sending out summaries and everything so you'll be sure to get access to all the free stuff prior to this coming Friday.

Jacob has talked about this in interviews before. He loves moving clockwise around the circle of fifths, which is exactly what he does here. Starting in Eb, then moving to the C family, moving to the A family, moving to the Gb/F# family, and finally returning to Eb. And notice that every time he changes key families, the first chord he plays is the 4 chord, which always wants to move one step clockwise to the tonic of the family. So he's not only moving clockwise, but creating the expectation that we should keep moving that direction until we "find our way home".

I think first Jacob is a theory archive of knowledge and second he is a song writer, as jacob builds and experiments, i think his songwriting abilities will continue to shine even more than they already do.

Charles, you should totally do a full solo piano performance of this song. I'd listen to it on repeat.

Yeah I saw Jacob in Oxford last year and was a part of the audience choir… transcendental is definitely the word… you can feel the whole room vibrate and it genuinely moves your whole soul and body it’s just so beautiful. It makes you feel so human but like you’re a part of so much more than that, it’s truly incredible… I encourage every single person that reads this to never miss the opportunity to see him live

I was at his concert in Brisbane, Australia, which was one of the three cities where he recorded audience vocals for this song. What we sang didn't sound much like the finished song, but he got what he needed in the course of a seemingly free-flowing exploration. I'll never hear any of myself in the single, but I'm honoured to be in there somewhere.

I know there have been hundreds of comments like this, but I gotta repeat this every single time - it's not *just* about his technical chops, he as a person just exudes empathy in anything and everything he does, and that's including his musical projects. Pardon the pun, but he truly resonates with his audience. Not to mention he's just a wonderful and compassionate musical teacher if you watch his interviews and lessons

Do you think you could bring back putting the names of the chords on screen when you play them? I think it would really help with particular complex progressions such as this. Love your videos!

This was such a gospel chord progression throughout the whole song. Lovely

What I love about Jacob. There is a lot of technical wizardry and virtuosic moments in his songs. However, he doesn't include these moments to be flash or show-off, he includes them because they sound great and the don't feel at all out of place.

The “Mahogany” performance of this song is so beautiful and inspiring! If you haven’t heard it check it out! It is only a guitar, his voice, and a choir. It is simply sublime!

As phenomenal as the original is, I loved his mahogany session version of this song. I felt it was even more powerful and the last few minutes is pure bliss!

You nailed it when you described Jacob Collier's ability to 'move around harmonic spaces without overwhelming the listener.' It's a wonderful way to articulate his unique and creative process of manipulating emotions through unexpected sound choices.

Hey Charles, amazing video!!! Just wanted to comment to say that the chord you are talking about at around 10:00 is the Tristan chord! (From Wagner’s famous prelude to Tristan und Isolde) It’s the exact same key and everything. Jacob is definitely aware of the chord’s infamy as his mom is a classical musician and professor and I’m sure that’s what he is referencing because the chord is famous for being used as a pseudo dominant that can resolve any number of ways depending on how you interpret it. Anyway, love all your videos you do such a great job at breaking this song down!

Something that blows my mind is something super interesting that happens rhythmically in the song: There’s a bass kick that sounds one sixteenth note late that sets up a rhythmic shift to a new rhythmic centre halfway through the song, then it shifts again. I know there’s that set up that happens really subtly, at first it feels off then it gets into a groove then woahhh it’s shifted. But the actual “HOW IS THIS HAPPENING” is totally blowing my mind. Like if the phrase “little blue” is divided into 1-e-&-a, halfway through the song, the rhythmic centre magically shifts to e-&-a-1 and then magically shifts back to the previous pulse of 1-e-&-a. I’m used to like throwing a 3/4 bar in or a 2/4 bar in to mix things up but what the heck is happening to shift things by a semiquaver?? BLOWS MY MINDD

There's only one thing better than Jacob's incredible music and that's Charles' passionate analysis of Jacob's incredible music. 😊

The fact that you have the AMAZING ability to analyze and explain this song perfectly YET STILL being mind blown by the skill of Jacob Collier skill is just proving how good Jacob is!

At 7:17 I think the chord is probably an Eb7#9 rather than a Dmaj7 because it fits into the ii-V-I motif that Jacob uses throughout the song, just with an extra spin at that bit! Cool analysis through and through!

Little Blue really turned me back on to Jacob. It's just such a tender and beautiful piece. His (at the moment) latest one of Witness Me is also just fantastic. I feel like his music is keeping the insane musical intelligence, but adding in so much more depth of emotion - and I couldn't be happier.

we just started singing little blue at my university choir, and even with our mostly pretty inexperienced choir, it already sounds magical after just one rehearsal. there's just something special about how jacob collier uses harmony

So glad to see another video of Jacob on this channel! Feels like it’s been a while. So much more to come with DJESSE Vol. 4 hopefully! Thanks Charles!

Seriously, look up 'In the Real Early Morning' by Jacob Collier. That song is enough to make a fully grown man cry, just like myself. Some gorgeous emotion provoking harmonies and musicality in that song. One of my all time favorites by Jacob.

I feel the Jacob is our Mozart. He's supremely talented, somewhat out of the norm, and it honing his talents to what the audience wants vs. what is in his head. It's special to watch. Moon River is the greatest vocal arrangement I've ever heard.

He also collaborates with a ton of great musicians. The second singer on this song is Brandi Carlile. He's collaborated with Lizzy McAlpine recently too. This is a really smart way to bring in other fanbases who may be receptive to his music.

I could listen to just Jacob's chords for an eternity

I've been so obsessed with the cover of this song he recorded with fans in a church for Mahagony sessions. Loved that you covered this.

What profound use of harmony. Chills almost everytime! What a fantastic world we live in music-wise!

No matter what, you’re an amazing pianist bro. The way you play makes me wish you’d make an actual album of covers man.

Jacob is so refreshing every single time. What a genius!

I would love if you did like a weekly Jacob Collier playlist where you analyze his music in “layman” terms (like you did in this video).

I'm a 37-year-old jazz fanatic, so it's not my usual cup of tea-not by a long shot. However, I've been listening to 'Little Blue' on repeat for weeks now. And before anyone points it out, I too hate these types of comments, but it's just true. The harmonies in this just sound otherworldly! It's such a masterpiece. Edit: I left this comment before even watching your video, and while I watched it, another thing popped into my mind: the lyrics. The lyrics are so powerful in this one. Really complement the flow of the music.

1:12 I love how the grass in the background echoes your hair.

Growing up in church this song definitely gives a church vibe and black churches like when we sing are known for being very expressive in how we play other instruments as well. Jacob a genius in his unique way of how he can break it down and make it something that sounds common into something so complex yet simple. It’s the perfect balance.

it truly is a trancendental experience. so glad i got to see him live

Thank you for sharing. I don't know why but seeing your genuine enthusiasm throughout this breakdown and hearing jacob with the audience choir is sparking an overwhelming joy and inspiration for music and everyone involved.

Thank you so much for this top down view when you start improvising/recreating things on the piano. For so long I’ve had to pause your videos a million times over to figure out what you’re doing to make everything you play sound so “full” for the lack of a better word, and having that top down view of where exactly your hands are, and where they’re going helps so much in making it a little more understandable.

A chef here. Music is very much like food. You need those small spices, those hints of something else, small surprises maybe, to make you want to have the dish again. When you know what the ingredients are then you might be surprised, but when you taste the finished product you will be absolute sure that the dish would not have been as pleasurable without every single one of them. Collier is a master chef of music.

I've always wanted jacob to approach his stuff more subtlely. I felt like in every song he'd just go "its jacob collier time" and would proceed to jacob collier all over the harmony which took me out of it.

This song captured me when I first heard it. This is Jacob at his classiest. I had this song on repeat for about a week straight and it is still one of my favorite songs of his. On his KZfaq he has an acoustic version with a live choir that is other worldly. One of the most beautiful pieces of pop music I’ve ver heard.

Little Blue made me happy-sob so hard.. the song really soothed my inner child.. it felt almost indescribable

My favorite songs from jacob are Hideaway and Little Blue, I‘ve learned so much from these songs (also generally from jacobs songs) and it helps me out A LOT with my own compositions

There are a few thoughts I had about thus song. A. It's beautiful. B. It feels a bit like he's creating more accessible music for exactly that reason, to make it more accessible which leads me to C. As a touring artist, I think he always intended to have audience choirs. Writing a harmonically simple chorus made it much easier to have audiences sing along. I think it's a neat trick and doesn't detract from his musical genius, but I'd personally like to see him go MORE sideways into Jazz territory. There still plenty of time for that though. 😊

8:44 has gotta be the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while. Fingers malfunctioning from being truly and utterly starstruck by the music

This is so brilliant. Love how enthusiastic you are Charles. Keep up the great work

Thanks again Charles. Your enthousiasm and your cunning analytic ears brought me even further in appreciating Jacob’s wonderful music. Please continue!

I loved the way you unpacked this. What a talent as you say, to carry that incredible harmonic movement beneath accessible melodies. I saw Jacob live last year and it was an unforgettable moment. The band are also awesome. Thanks for this!

Jacob Collier is a living legend, just an incredible honor to live in a time where you can follow his musical progression.

I've enjoyed his earlier work. This is really showing a musical maturity that I love.

I RECOGNIZED LITTLE BLUE FROM THE THUMBNAIL YEAHHHHHHH!!!!! Charles, you are so right about that faux modulation section being the musician’s favorite! This video might be the closest anyone besides me has gotten to articulating why this chord progression builds on itself so well. The chord progression in the new key uses whole step chunks like the old one and purposely spells as C sharp instead of D flat - it sets up a contrast between darkening/brightening feelings on the same note. There’s some chords I hear slightly differently than you. I hear the intermediate D chord in between Bbm7 and AbM7 as a B7/A. (Edit: re-listened in the car and I hear that lower note, seems like Eb). I don’t hear the Cb in the “F half diminished 7th chord” you mentioned; I hear that as a Db chord. (My interpretation also allows for the C melody note). If any of you nerds are interested in microtonality I played a 26-tone equal tempered electric piano cover of that song on my channel (don’t listen on phone), and there’s a theory explanation after.

Hi, Charles! Music nerd couple here! 👋🏻 My husband is *insisting* that the chord at 5:27 is a Cbmaj7 so that the Bb (coming from the Eb melody line as it does) can be called that instead of changing to an A# all of the sudden. 🙂 We really enjoyed the analysis!

Being in the audience of his concert in VEGA in Copenhagen and be played as an instrument was an absolutely amazing experience

you're really unrivalled in what you do mate, as always a great break down of a stellar song, and such an enthusiastic video, you always make me smile

I was fortunate enough to experience Jacob Live for his D’Jesse Vol. 4 tour. There’s nothing on earth like him!

The live version in the church had be sobbing like a baby it’s so astoundingly beautiful

You are so invested in this. Its almost like your happyness about this music radiates from the screen as you play these chords.

I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THIS SONG AND I LOOOOVE IT SO MUCH! I'm so happy you made a video about this! You are amazing!!

Count me among those who can't get enough Jacob craziness, but I agree that his "saner", more subdued songs are similarly mind-blowing, if a bit more subtle. Definitely go see him in person! As great as he is recorded, his live performances are somehow even better. And Charles, your analyses are fantastic...you and I clearly process music the same way. 2 minor quibbles: I wouldn't call the chord Cm7+5, but rather Abmaj9/C. The raised 5th implies that there's no G in the scale or chord, whereas calling it Abmaj7 makes it clear what the scale is (Ab Lydian). But yes, possibly my favorite chord too! And second, I don't think he goes to D in the bass at 6:44, but rather A7b5 (the sub-V of Ab), with the bass maybe also playing Eb briefly. It's a very Take 6 sounding progression, but the D sounds too far out to match what I'm hearing.

when charles cornell analyzes jacob collier its just amazing: two geniuses at work

Love the Jacob content. And little blue feels like being hugged by a song. Thanks!

You actually introduced me to Jacob years ago and for that I'm forever grateful!!! Your videos on Jacob stand out above many other Jacob analysis due to your immense understanding of music! Thanks Charles :) oh i use to watch your funny videos on Cardi B and all those too... very funny!

beginning is a bit like an uplifting "and so it goes"

I had the pleasure of experiancing this wonderful song at the Hollywood Bowl on my birthday this past Sept. I've been following Jacob since he bagan on YT some 14 years ago. And you are right about none musicians not understanding his genius because I went with my girlfriend and a few other non musicians. The show was Incredible and the people I went with really didn't care for it. That was actually a bit frustrating. Ah well.

this is the first video i've seen of yours in a while, and i remember why i subscribe. you give us passion everytime. thank you. little blue has been one of my top songs of his since it came out. thanks again :)

Been waiting for this video for a while now. That second pre-chorus chord progression is absolutely bonkers. Freaking awesome!!

I think this song shows how Jacob matured

dude. This is, like, the cadence of every other modern worship song.

This harmony changes fill my soul 😮

I wish I would have something in my life to be as enthusiastic as Charles about melodies and chord progressions. I`m not big on music theory but it`s a pure pleasure to watch and listen to you Charles, brings me a lot of joy!

6:24 As you play the song on Piano it almost sounds like it could be a christmas song.

I love this song. I am a musician, and I can get out on some of the stuff that he does that isn’t quite so accessible, but first and foremost, I like music to listen to it. The same reason that Chopin is my favorite composer. I feel like Jacob has reached that point where he is now focused on the song. This is great for all of us to live in both worlds!

This song has major And So It Goes vibes, especially the opening lines

Fantastic analysis as always!! so bummed you didn't talk about the last instrumental-ish bit though, it's sooooo good! We love you, Charles

Finally, the two genius meeting (edit:my bad it already happened before)

I would like to understand my dislike of Jacob Collier. His music does nothing to me. It's like whenever I hear him play, sing, or explain music I feel very unmusical, uninspired, tired, without energy, supressed, suffocated. But I still find him fascinating, because he's basically a library in a way.

the amount of joy this brings you gives me joy

The first I heard "Little Blue", I just cried. I don't know why, but I guess I really felt it

as someone who listens to this song religiously every single day, I really appreciate you making this video. I've always wanted an in-depth analysis of this song specifically, and this honestly is a dream come true! thank you Charles!

Having musicians like Jacob Collier alive in the world today must feel like what it felt like when Mozart was alive.

The more I see of Jacob’s videos with a live audience choir, the more I feel the need to go to one of his concerts. The harmonics lifts my spirit and brings tears to my eyes because the harmony just flows so well and so smooth. Can you say goosebumps…? ❤️🙏🫶😊

I'm so glad you addressed those chords at 6:41. I couldn't sleep over how wonderful these are as I wanted to transcribe it to the guitar badly. I love this song and everything he put out up to this point especially from Djesse vol.4 but my favourite has been Never Gonna Be Alone. It's been a theme for me getting over my ex and then getting back with her and in love with eachother and has such a deep place in my heart.

he never plays a right one either

Jacob is probably the most musical human to ever live - whatever that means I don't know, but I think it describes him the best.

I was in one of his audience choirs, and it was one of the most moving musical experiences of my life.

Loved this video so much!! I hope we'll get to see many more about Jabob Collier!

Im a musician and I understand music theory and stuff, and I appreciate how cool Jacob’s music is. But it still sounds super weird to me, I just wouldn’t listen to it.

THIS title, THAT is how you drag people in. GREAT stuff man, love all your content. Just needed to reflect that this title dragged me in immediately.

It’s just ridiculous the amount of emotion his music gives to the audience

this guy explains this so well. and also makes some funny videos where timmy enjoys his birthday. keep it up, i need this musical education

Nice video Jacob is a genius

Now he just needs to write lyrics that aren't love is good, home is nice and eyes are sunsine and then I might actually listen to him

As someone who has been entranced by Jacob Collier’s music from the first time I heard it, I REALLY appreciate the way you break down the genius unfolding in “Little Blue.” Thanks so much, brother!! 🙏🏼🎶💖

He's so amazing live. Being in the audience and somehow intuitively being conducted in 3 part harmonies with no rehearsals. Also he's really funny and will weave in heckles into his set.

I just really don't understand his appeal. You're playing these chords and it all just sounds so humdrum. And JC just always sounds like he's yawning. I just find all his music so incredibly bland.

As a vocalist, it's very difficult for me to get past Jacob Colliers limited vocal abilities I would like him more if someone else performed his stuff

Omg! I love this video! You are so fun and I love your excitement about Jacob’s music. It’s so nice to see someone also blown away by him! But you are a joy to watch! Thank you!!!❤️😀

I love your videos and enthusiasm always man, haven't watched your video's in a while, but love Jacob and Little Blue. Your enthusiasm makes it even better for me, thank you!

Ok, I will say it. I do not like how Jacob Collier sing. I don't understand how you guys listent to him. Yes, i get it, there is intresting harmony in his songs but his singing is so awful. Take for example this song. Don't you think that when the female singer joins it sounds 1000 times better. Maybe I don't understand because I am not a professional musician but I will gladly listen to a less complex piece of music with good vocals than what Jacob is doing.

First?

Jacob is my favorite musician of all time! Couldn’t love someone more!! He’s AMAZING!

I've watched Jacob live twice, once within a couple of meters. To hear and watch him up close is it just amazing. Always a great time and good fun.