@@expiredmilk5435 vocal chords require different tension to get the same pitch between an inhale or an exhale. To have accurate pitch and dynamics both ways while performing music like this takes incredible skill.
This man is one of my most admired vocal performers for a reason, the way he replicated delay with his own voice at 2:24 was immaculate, to the highest degree
Every able-bodied person has the same vocal machinery as Bobby, why can't we all sing like him? Of course, he is a gifted singer, but the bulk of his talent is not in the singing, his talent is in the *listening* that must precede the singing. In the same way that a great realistic painter sees the world differently than the average person, a great musician hears the world differently. Over years, both have cultivated their ability to ignore the assumptions and shortcuts our brains use to accelerate visual/auditory processing, and experience their surroundings in a more objective way. They are able to exactly replicate what they experience because they are able to experience it entirely. I don't know what my point is but this has been my TED talk.
@@tissuepaper9962 No no, I actually really appreciate this, I’ve always had this in the back of my mind, but from the way you phrased it, I may need to strive more towards applying it directly to my music. Thank you
@@arturjogi2667 do you not understand that "vocal machinery" is referring to the human body? Where did I say singing doesn't take training? "Over years, they have cultivated the skill..." -Me, in the comment you apparently didn't read very carefully.
@@tissuepaper9962 humans are not machines. We are not all the same. You could say everybody has the *potential* to be like that, but that would also be a lie. Vocal range, singing in tune, other factors, largely come down to genetics, and random chance. We quite literally do not all have the same "machinery". It's got nothing to do with "listening".
@@AdamFaruqi Yeah it's like when you find out you won the lottery, but it's like just the regular lottery, not the powerball or something. The crushing disappointment of settling for only like $8 million. So disappointing. That's what it's like when you realize he's only doing guitar and voice, instead of the whole band. So disappointing, you know?
@@AdamFaruqi I mean the bass line just outlines the guitar parts, and he performs the low notes in the bass register, and the percussive delivery definitely fills in for drums. Id say one man band is fairly accurate.
@@famousdavemusic I was about to say "I was there!" but actually I think I saw him the next time he played there, when he was "officially" there solo (or maybe with one or two other occasional guests?), but he called up a four-part choir of volunteers from the crowd halfway through. (In retrospect I wonder if the choir was a plant but it was a hell of a show anyway.)
@@JamesCamienMcGuiggan Well I actually saw him twice at the same venue, and the second time, I made sure I had an aisle seat so that I could be one of those who got to get up on stage! On that occasion he just asked for four volunteers and got about 10, so I can confirm that at the very least *I* was not a plant!
Him doing the flutter sound is so great because you would indeed not see and only hear a black bird in a dark black night. What a gesture. He's making quite a point.
@@breakfastplan4518 Even virtuoso improvisers have a foundation of practice upon which to build their improvisation on. You don't just wake up one day able to spontaneously use these techniques to such a high degree without practicing.
Thank you for bringing light to this guy! Barely anybody knew who I was talking about when I said that my favorite musician is Bobby McFerrin and when people did know who he was, only knew his song "don't worry be happy". He is one of the most talented musicians in my eyes because of his ability of vocal percussion and his ability to involve the audience while bringing out beautiful harmonies.
I've watched this before and was amazed, but adding the music sheet to follow along makes it even more mindblowing how freaking accurate he is THE WHOLE TIME. Sheesh
I will never forget the day I got to whitness this live. He can do this for an hour straight if he feels like it too! Probably the most inspirational thing I ever whitnessed in person
I like how the crowd stops clapping when they all realize they are experiancing something brilliant. EDIT: Thanks for all the likes! Never gotten this many likes on a comment!
I’m so glad that someone posted this, I’ve only seen this performed by Jacob Collier with his harmonizer and I did not realize that this was the influence!
The amount of "stress" on your vocal chords is staggering. Amazing. What a control of your voice and breathing..... I knew this man could sing....but this.....wow wow wow
Really captivating performance. This has become my favorite channel on TH-cam. Such a great variety of artists and musical styles, and the transcriptions are super fun! Thank you George, these videos bring me a lot of joy during tough times
I once bought a ticket to go see this man in my small hometown in NorwaY. Not knowing who he was, or what he was doing on stage, I didnt understand anything as he stepped on stage holding only his microphone. 2 hours later I left the theater, not trusting reality, completely mindblown!
this guy has always amazed me. seriously underappreciated! Well, Actually, I think folks these days like don't worry be happy more than when it was released initially
My uncle introduced me to Bobby’s music when I was a kid. I had this album on vinyl and his self-titled jazz debut on tape. If I could hang out with any famous person for a day, he’d be on my list. Such a talent.
Saw him do this very tune one summer in Kresge Auditorium at Interlochen. He ended the show with a whole bunch of students (a master class worth of them?) joining him down at the front of the stage for a number. So neat!
I'd say Drive does. The one from Montreal Live or the SNL Live version (couldn't find it on youtube) are the best in my opinion. Okay, he can make it easy for himself in Drive, which he cannot do in Blackbird, since it's packed with notes, but when he decides he can make Drive just as heavy. Not to mention Opportunity from the same concert as this Blackbird.
I loved his first two albums and took a friend to hear him in London and was raving about his genius. I turned around and Bobby was standing behind us. I was so embarrassed but he laughed and did the wing beating sound totally impromptu. Seriously the man is a force of nature
Three hours one Atlanta night. An empty stage, save a stool, a mic stand with mic, a bottle of Perrier, and one Bobby McFerrin. Three hours of just him (except when he got us to be his jam loop). Absolutely amazing stuff.
I miss seeing this guy show up in pop culture. I saw a concert feature on PBS which focused him in the 1990's. Thanks for the post. He is a genius & very easy to listen to, as opposed to some Jazz guys who sound like they don't even care if nobody wants to listen to their playing. I hope Bobby M is still making music.
Please Mr. George, add the scrolling blue line which indicates the music progression. It is very useful. That is what determined me to subscribe. It is truly entertaining and instructive to whatcha it.
I've seen this guy live in the middle of the 80s in Nice, France and that's when I realised that music have no limits. A shock for a teenager, belive me.
The control to hit every one of those notes so softly and so accurately has always been amazing.
The added difficulty of hitting them with both directions of breath is what gets me.
@@mtnman1984 I thought it would be easier to go both ways
@@expiredmilk5435 vocal chords require different tension to get the same pitch between an inhale or an exhale. To have accurate pitch and dynamics both ways while performing music like this takes incredible skill.
@@mtnman1984 oh that makes sense. Thanks
@@expiredmilk5435 no problem
It sounds like he swallowed a band and now they're jamming inside his gut.
Thats what she said
@@SchoolofRockNRoll what the fuck..
no
@@SchoolofRockNRoll lmao w h a t
@@SchoolofRockNRoll that's what your mom said
and a couple of birds too
Imagine doin all that, while also playing an imaginary bass.
an imaginary bass that he just so happens to be slapping....someones gotta recreate that
@@gabrielevion7055 it won't happen.
Shot in the dark, maybe it’s his muscle memory instrument for reference. Musicians do that.
@@Cheese_Meister I do believe that the imaginary bass is doing something for him to memorize things.
I think I saw an interview with him once where he said he was using that technique, but with the clarinet. This does look more like a bass though.
Those bird fluttering sounds were perfection
the perfect delay at the end was insane too. sounded like a studio effect 100 percent
*BIRD NOISES*
Some fava beans and a nice chianti are required to pull that off so flawlessly.
Blackbird.
This man is one of my most admired vocal performers for a reason, the way he replicated delay with his own voice at 2:24 was immaculate, to the highest degree
Every able-bodied person has the same vocal machinery as Bobby, why can't we all sing like him?
Of course, he is a gifted singer, but the bulk of his talent is not in the singing, his talent is in the *listening* that must precede the singing. In the same way that a great realistic painter sees the world differently than the average person, a great musician hears the world differently. Over years, both have cultivated their ability to ignore the assumptions and shortcuts our brains use to accelerate visual/auditory processing, and experience their surroundings in a more objective way. They are able to exactly replicate what they experience because they are able to experience it entirely.
I don't know what my point is but this has been my TED talk.
@@tissuepaper9962 No no, I actually really appreciate this, I’ve always had this in the back of my mind, but from the way you phrased it, I may need to strive more towards applying it directly to my music.
Thank you
@@tissuepaper9962 this is false at like, the complete start of the comment. Great singing takes years of training.
@@arturjogi2667 do you not understand that "vocal machinery" is referring to the human body? Where did I say singing doesn't take training?
"Over years, they have cultivated the skill..."
-Me, in the comment you apparently didn't read very carefully.
@@tissuepaper9962 humans are not machines. We are not all the same. You could say everybody has the *potential* to be like that, but that would also be a lie. Vocal range, singing in tune, other factors, largely come down to genetics, and random chance. We quite literally do not all have the same "machinery". It's got nothing to do with "listening".
**breathes in in tune**
YES LIKE HOW
It’s a combination of inward singing and circular breathing. It’s pretty insane lol
Does anybody else realize he is singing while breathing in?
Its inward singing! He’s not just a rocking half the time anymore!
“And then I’ll start some lyrics and I CANT BELIEVE IM SINGING” 🤘🏽
@@ocho27hd hahahaha YES!!!
@@johnnyquest9519 Long Live the D!
It’s not that hard if you try, but his execution was absolutely perfect and most people wouldn’t be able to achieve anything similar.
@@viever9158 riiiiiiigght
man is outlining the ENTIRE band with single notes, holy hell
It's only one guitar and voice, not the whole band.
@@AdamFaruqi Yeah it's like when you find out you won the lottery, but it's like just the regular lottery, not the powerball or something. The crushing disappointment of settling for only like $8 million. So disappointing. That's what it's like when you realize he's only doing guitar and voice, instead of the whole band. So disappointing, you know?
@@ButteryAftertaste what
@@AdamFaruqi I mean the bass line just outlines the guitar parts, and he performs the low notes in the bass register, and the percussive delivery definitely fills in for drums. Id say one man band is fairly accurate.
@@ButteryAftertaste U okay mate?
The thing I find most impressive is how easily he jumps from F below the staff to F on the top line of the staff. That was AWESOME!
I haven't thought about Bobby McFerrin in too long. This man is too talented
Same.
Best gig I ever saw was Bobby McFerrin in the National Concert Hall in Dublin in 2007 or so. Just him and a mic. The audience was spellbound.
@@famousdavemusic I was about to say "I was there!" but actually I think I saw him the next time he played there, when he was "officially" there solo (or maybe with one or two other occasional guests?), but he called up a four-part choir of volunteers from the crowd halfway through. (In retrospect I wonder if the choir was a plant but it was a hell of a show anyway.)
@@JamesCamienMcGuiggan Well I actually saw him twice at the same venue, and the second time, I made sure I had an aisle seat so that I could be one of those who got to get up on stage! On that occasion he just asked for four volunteers and got about 10, so I can confirm that at the very least *I* was not a plant!
I was just thinking that's who that was.
1:19 there’s no one alive with a soul that couldn’t love that riff
does anyone know the name for this riff? i've heard it elsewhere too
He’s singing notes breathing inward and uses the hitting on his chest to help jump intervals cleanly
Lmao didn't realize this came out so recently, his voice is strangely calming though
Yeah it's gotta have happened at least within the last 100 years.
2008 is when the video was originally published to TH-cam
This is from a show on the Spontaneous Inventions tour. So 1986, maybe. 2 years before he released Don't Worry, Be Happy.
Yeah he looks great for 71, innit
Him doing the flutter sound is so great because you would indeed not see and only hear a black bird in a dark black night. What a gesture. He's making quite a point.
This guy seems really happy. I bet he’s not worried about stuff.
I see what you did there 😏
underrated comment
He has a second happy gland where his worry gland is supposed to be.
BaDuM - *TsChHhH*
😆
Dude really practised this like non stop
No.... he's just the goat
@@camcantrun I promise you goats practice a LOT
@@camcantrun... Practice is what seperates the GOATS from the piglets
I saw him improvise entire movements like this. Nah, he was special- and from a special era of music.
@@breakfastplan4518 Even virtuoso improvisers have a foundation of practice upon which to build their improvisation on. You don't just wake up one day able to spontaneously use these techniques to such a high degree without practicing.
Thank you for bringing light to this guy! Barely anybody knew who I was talking about when I said that my favorite musician is Bobby McFerrin and when people did know who he was, only knew his song "don't worry be happy". He is one of the most talented musicians in my eyes because of his ability of vocal percussion and his ability to involve the audience while bringing out beautiful harmonies.
just now noticing how much jacob was inspired by this performance :') also BRO THE CONTROL
edit 2 DID HE JUST DO A DELAY EFFECT?????
WHAT THE HELL
OH MY GOD
I was looking for a comment that talked about the delay effect. That was crazy.
Jacob collier on hard mode
This is incredible. It took me a moment to realise that he was also still singing lyrics on top of performing instruments with his voice. Goosebumps!
What are the lyrics
Bro I was just about to go smoke a bowl and now I'm watching this and questioning if I'm already high, this is incredible
Update: yeah I'm super high now this is amazing
that Delay Effect was beautifull
I've watched this before and was amazed, but adding the music sheet to follow along makes it even more mindblowing how freaking accurate he is THE WHOLE TIME. Sheesh
I honestly love every single one of those swung riffs
I FREAKING LOVE BOBBY MCFERRIN- I GREW UP LISTENING TO HIM - he’s the only music I would fall asleep to
I will never forget the day I got to whitness this live. He can do this for an hour straight if he feels like it too! Probably the most inspirational thing I ever whitnessed in person
I was so lucky to see him perform at Symphony Hall in Boston in 1988... it was amazing.
I like how the crowd stops clapping when they all realize they are experiancing something brilliant.
EDIT: Thanks for all the likes! Never gotten this many likes on a comment!
And the edit is exactly why you *didn't* get my like.
@@Richard_Nickerson What a gentleman.
Thanking for likes is for wastes of skin
EDIT: REMOVED MY LIKE
Edit: I’m inside your oven
I’m so glad that someone posted this, I’ve only seen this performed by Jacob Collier with his harmonizer and I did not realize that this was the influence!
One of my favorite performances of his are from (most likely) same concert "Bobby McFerrin - Thinkin' About Your Body"
Bobby was always a BEAST! And before him... the forgotten 'GOAT' Al Jarreau.
Astonishing range, he should consider singing professionally
but its bobby mcferrin
@@JediO-lq3cbThis Bobby guy should consider singing full time
@@NoThumb yeah ikr he's way too good he should try singing in front of a crowd.
@@asura7393 That might be just a tad much for him at this point but he'll get there one day :)
what is happening
Started off like "aight it's a little silly" but then it started to sound pretty cool. I dig it.
The amount of "stress" on your vocal chords is staggering.
Amazing. What a control of your voice and breathing.....
I knew this man could sing....but this.....wow wow wow
while the intake of breathe makes me very anxious, this is definitely a very difficult and beautiful piece of art. and the RIFFS oh the RIFFS.
Always been enchanted by this performance. Never realised the actual music sheet was so crazy. He makes it sound so simple, and kind of pure.
This is so impressive but I feel out of breath and all tense just listening to it hahaha
Sounds like someone unlocked the POWER of Inward Singing!!! 🤘🏼
Best of luck on trying to cover this arrangement ha
I can do that. 👍🏾
@@derrickburwell7777 Reply back again when you’ve posted it on TH-cam. I would be most interested in your cover
@@gabrielkirby73 I will. :)
Imma comment here to get a notification on the new cover lol, please tag me to make sure I get it!!
@@cynicalglasses3069 Yes Ma'am. 👍🏾
dynamics and articulation are spectacular would be cool to see them
Really captivating performance. This has become my favorite channel on TH-cam. Such a great variety of artists and musical styles, and the transcriptions are super fun! Thank you George, these videos bring me a lot of joy during tough times
I once bought a ticket to go see this man in my small hometown in NorwaY.
Not knowing who he was, or what he was doing on stage, I didnt understand anything as he stepped on stage holding only his microphone.
2 hours later I left the theater, not trusting reality, completely mindblown!
Well, damn, that's one of the most impressive, and one of the most musically pleasing, things I've heard/seen in a while...
Saw him in a concert. What a musician. Incredible. Love him.
rich bass TONES! WITHOUT A BASS!!! ❤❤❤❤
this guy has always amazed me. seriously underappreciated! Well, Actually, I think folks these days like don't worry be happy more than when it was released initially
My uncle introduced me to Bobby’s music when I was a kid. I had this album on vinyl and his self-titled jazz debut on tape. If I could hang out with any famous person for a day, he’d be on my list. Such a talent.
Saw him do this very tune one summer in Kresge Auditorium at Interlochen. He ended the show with a whole bunch of students (a master class worth of them?) joining him down at the front of the stage for a number. So neat!
I wore out this VHS back in the day. Thank you! Do more from this show!
this is amazing, I don't recall any piece by McFerrin that shows his skills so clearly as this one!
I'd say Drive does. The one from Montreal Live or the SNL Live version (couldn't find it on youtube) are the best in my opinion. Okay, he can make it easy for himself in Drive, which he cannot do in Blackbird, since it's packed with notes, but when he decides he can make Drive just as heavy. Not to mention Opportunity from the same concert as this Blackbird.
I loved his first two albums and took a friend to hear him in London and was raving about his genius. I turned around and Bobby was standing behind us. I was so embarrassed but he laughed and did the wing beating sound totally impromptu. Seriously the man is a force of nature
Bobby McFerrin is such a legend
I remember watching his performances so long ago, can't believe I'm finally hearing him again
Bobby is a badass. I love his performance of Drive, absolutely mind blowing.
Three hours one Atlanta night. An empty stage, save a stool, a mic stand with mic, a bottle of Perrier, and one Bobby McFerrin. Three hours of just him (except when he got us to be his jam loop). Absolutely amazing stuff.
Yodeling is quite a difficult skill of voice control, but that ending where he mimics delay is really impressive to me.
I miss seeing this guy show up in pop culture. I saw a concert feature on PBS which focused him in the 1990's. Thanks for the post. He is a genius & very easy to listen to, as opposed to some Jazz guys who sound like they don't even care if nobody wants to listen to their playing. I hope Bobby M is still making music.
I love this man's work so much.
This reminds me of beatbox competitions when participants do covers, just brutal.
Please Mr. George, add the scrolling blue line which indicates the music progression. It is very useful. That is what determined me to subscribe. It is truly entertaining and instructive to whatcha it.
Beatboxing before it's was cool
True
Just thought of footboxg
this is both very exhausting and soothing to listen.
I've known about Bobby McFerrin for ages...and this is STILL astounding...just unbelievable!
he is basically yodeling very fancy - love it :D
"Sorry boss, traffic's been-"
yikes alive, this is great. I've heard it before, but watching it along with the transcription is just other-level.
That's crazy! I loved the sounds of the birds :0
That man took the energy of every lilter and made this absolute spirit bomb of a performance
he was yodeling in blues... He..was yodeling...in blues...
The riff at 1:18 is FIRE
Bobby McFarrin is one of the nicest people in person. Very giving of his time and love of music.
Would love to see him sing with Winslow. That would be off the charts.
I was showed this by a teacher in high school and only become more impressed with it every time I see it
"When the band is late!" Ha! his smile at the end made the whole title! Lol
I remember seeing this on A&E when it originally aired. My dad and I were glued to the TV and threw in a VHS to record it.
Watching this at 6am. And no, I don't wake up early.
Dude Imma use those riffs next time for sure
Bobby McFerrin is my hero and I want to share music with the world like he does!!!
incredible what some people can do with their voices
Watching this makes me feel out of breath. My brain wants him to take a breath
I've seen this guy live in the middle of the 80s in Nice, France and that's when I realised that music have no limits. A shock for a teenager, belive me.
im amazed on that man but im impressed by how you transcribe everything ..
very cool
would be great to see the inhales notated too cause it's all so rhythmic
I have a paper due 5 hours ago that I haven't started yet because this is what has been going through my head
the fact that he used his inhales as notes too
👏😳
This is gonna be stuck in my head for a while. And that's okay.
That is really special... but... it makes me listen to it once more: this guy is amazing ! This is really, really hard to sing properly....
I've never seen someone that can control their voice that good. Incredible
He must be a master at yodeling
I love how you can see how Bobby is imagining himself playing an upright bass in his left hand.
This is the single most spectacular thing I have ever seen wtf
He's so good!
1:18 This is so great
@George Collier - you go wild for the same riff I do! That shit has a summer-house in my head.
Crazy wide intervals
The most qualified guy to play an air bass
Loved the part where he made noises with his mouth, quite impressive
This man could do Daft Punks "Harder, Better, Faster" all by himself in a live session...
Pomplamoose did a pretty good cover
The inbreathing in tune absolutly mad
is there like a music theory breakdown for this clip
such gold
ive never heard such thing before :o I am mesmerized