Swedish musician taught an octopus to play the piano: how it was done.

According to ТСН: Swedish musician Mattias Krantz spent six months working on the 'worst' and 'coolest' thing in his life: teaching an octopus to play the piano.

Krantz, a YouTuber who usually modifies musical instruments, published a video explaining how he taught an octopus named Tako to play the piano.

Krantz bought Tako the octopus from a fish shop in Portugal back in March. He shared that he had to spend a lot of time gaining Tako's trust, and even more to encourage the octopus to use the keyboard he created with levers so that the sea creature could play with its tentacles.

The learning process

At first, Tako played only one or two notes at a time, and Krantz used bubbles to intrigue him with the instrument. A breakthrough occurred in August when a 'crab lift' was added to the aquarium, lowering a crab—Tako's favorite treat—for each note the octopus played.

Krantz started playing the guitar, accompanying Tako on the piano, and even taught the sea creature to play the melody of Baby Shark, although the results were not quite in rhythm.

'It was probably the worst thing I've ever done, and maybe the coolest, but also the worst of all,' Krantz confessed. 'I have never pushed myself to such limits.'

Krantz noted that he and Tako play together about every two days.

'I can't believe I'm sitting here playing with an octopus,' he said.

Warnings from scientists

Marine scientist Jenny Hofmeister warned that the octopus is likely not playing music for the love of art, but performing a trick for a reward.

'The octopus does not perceive rhythm,' Hofmeister noted. 'It doesn't perceive, you know, tempo. It wants to execute the steps it needs to take to get the crab.'

This story has presented us with an unusual combination of science and creativity, demonstrating how one can attempt to communicate with sea creatures. Although Krantz claims his initiative is unique, scientists urge not to forget about the natural instincts of animals. The experience of teaching Tako could serve as an interesting example of studying octopus behavior and their capabilities in the context of interaction with humans.