There are plenty of unforgettable performances in America’s Got Talent, but few acts have completely changed the way audiences think about music. William Close did exactly that when he walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage with an extraordinary invention called the Earth Harp.
Instead of simply bringing a traditional instrument onto the stage, Close transformed the entire performance space into part of the instrument. Long strings stretched across the venue, creating a visual spectacle that was almost as remarkable as the music itself.
The performance quickly became one of the memorable moments from AGT Season 7, with the judges praising Close for presenting something genuinely different. His unusual combination of music, engineering, architecture and performance helped him progress deep into the competition and ultimately finish third place.
A Musical Instrument Unlike Anything Else
William Close is not simply a musician. He is also an inventor and artist who has spent years creating unusual musical instruments.
His best-known creation, the Earth Harp, takes the basic idea of a string instrument and dramatically expands it. Rather than keeping the strings contained inside a conventional instrument, Close extends them through a performance space and attaches them to architecture or the surrounding landscape.
According to Close’s official website, the Earth Harp can transform theaters, buildings, landscapes and other environments into enormous string instruments. The audience effectively sits inside the instrument while the strings stretch above and around them.
The concept dates back to 1999, when Close created the first Earth Harp. Its strings could stretch hundreds of feet, with some installations reaching approximately 1,000 feet. The result was an instrument on a completely different scale from an ordinary harp.
That concept alone was enough to make viewers stop and wonder: How is this even possible?
William Close Takes the Earth Harp to AGT
When Close appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2012, the judges immediately recognized that they were watching something unusual.
The seventh season featured Howard Stern, Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel on the judging panel. Close introduced the Earth Harp as an enormous musical creation, using thousands of feet of steel to effectively turn the theater into a giant instrument. ABC News described the performance as Close presenting what he called the “world’s biggest musical instrument.”
The judges voted him through, allowing him to continue his journey in the competition.
What made the performance particularly striking was that viewers didn’t just hear the instrument—they could see the music being created.
The enormous strings became part of the stage design. Close interacted with the strings while producing deep, resonant sounds that were completely different from what audiences normally expect from a harp.
It was music, but it was also architecture, visual art and engineering.
The Performance That Made People Say “Wow”
One reason William Close’s AGT appearance remains memorable is that the act was difficult to compare with anything else on the show.
A singer can be judged by their voice. A magician can be judged by an illusion. A dancer can be judged by choreography.
But Close arrived with something that seemed to redefine the stage itself.
The Earth Harp created a huge visual frame around the performance. The strings stretched away from Close, making the stage appear dramatically larger. When he played them, the entire setup became part of the musical experience.
CBS News later highlighted Close during the show’s quarterfinals, describing the Earth Harp as a giant, violin-like instrument. The judges were particularly enthusiastic about his performance, with Howie Mandel and Howard Stern among those offering strong praise.
For many viewers, this was the kind of AGT moment that makes people stop scrolling and watch until the end.
From Audition to the Finals
Close’s journey did not stop with his audition.
He became one of the standout acts of Season 7 and eventually reached the finals. CBS News reported that he was among the acts advancing from the semifinals into the final stage of the competition.
When the season finale arrived in September 2012, Close finished in third place, behind comedian Tom Cotter and eventual winners Olate Dogs.
Although he did not win the $1 million prize, his performance had already accomplished something important: it introduced millions of viewers to a musical instrument that many had never seen before.
And unlike many television performances that are remembered primarily for a song, joke or emotional story, William Close’s appearance was remembered because of the instrument itself.
Why the Earth Harp Is So Fascinating
The genius of the Earth Harp is its simplicity combined with its enormous scale.
A conventional string instrument depends on strings vibrating to create sound. Close took that fundamental concept and asked a much bigger question:
What if the entire environment became the instrument?
The answer was the Earth Harp.
The strings can be attached to buildings, bridges, mountain areas, theaters and other structures. Close’s official site explains that the instrument has been installed in locations ranging from concert halls and museums to skyscrapers, canyons, valleys and historic sites.
PBS has also featured Close’s invention, explaining how the Earth Harp can use extremely long strings attached to architecture or natural environments to create a unique musical space.
This means every installation can have its own character.
The location isn’t merely a background.
The location becomes part of the music.
More Than an AGT Moment
William Close’s work continued beyond America’s Got Talent.
His official biography states that he has created more than 100 new instruments and musical designs over the course of his career, with his inventions appearing in projects associated with major entertainment productions and venues.
Close also returned to America’s Got Talent in 2015, where he collaborated with finalist Emily West. His official site describes it as the first collaboration on the show between two previous contestants.
His continued work demonstrates that the Earth Harp was not simply a television gimmick. It became part of a much larger artistic vision.
Why Fans Still Remember William Close
Years after his AGT appearance, William Close continues to stand out among the show’s many memorable performers.
Fans have continued discussing his Earth Harp performance online, with viewers remembering the act as one of the show’s more unusual musical performances.
That staying power comes from the fact that Close offered something audiences could not easily forget.
You might forget the exact song someone sang on a talent show.
You might forget which week a particular performance happened.
But it is much harder to forget seeing massive strings stretching across a theater while a musician turns the entire space into a giant instrument.
That is the magic of William Close.
Watch William Close’s AGT Performance
If you’ve never seen the original audition, this is one performance worth revisiting.
Watch: William Close and His Earth Harp — America’s Got Talent 2012 Audition
You can also explore more of Close’s Earth Harp projects and performances through his official site: William Close & The Earth Harp Collective
Final Thoughts
William Close’s America’s Got Talent appearance proved that a great performance doesn’t always need to follow the traditional rules.
He didn’t simply sing a song or play an ordinary instrument.
He reimagined what an instrument could be.
By stretching enormous strings across the performance environment, Close transformed architecture into music and turned the audience into part of the experience. His third-place finish in Season 7 may not have brought him the grand prize, but his Earth Harp became one of the competition’s most distinctive musical creations.
And that’s why, even years later, people can watch the performance and still have the same reaction:
“Wait… he’s playing the whole building?”
